tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55461969562213984872024-03-12T18:24:49.253-05:00A juggling actMotherhood. Homeschooling. Career
Join me as I juggle my way through this journey I call my LIFE.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger170125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5546196956221398487.post-5377906257419510512016-01-11T09:23:00.000-06:002016-01-11T09:28:22.257-06:00Just keep swimming, just keep swimming...<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I got on the scale this morning. Not sure what I expected but the numbers staring back at me were not it. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You see, the last two weeks have been HARD. Yes, HARD. I've done a complete 180 when it comes to my eating habits. All of this prompted by a test result and the desire to live to see my grandkids one day. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Aside from adding exercise to my day, I have been eating tons of vegetables. If you know me, you know I have a love/hate relationship with veggies. All that ended when I found out I wasn't in as good a shape as I had thought and decided I needed to do my part and clean up my diet. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I started by cutting the carbs as much as possible from my diet. At least the "bad" carbs (is there such a thing??). I added whole grains instead, and lots and lots of veggies and fruits. Then I added exercise. The elliptical has been a part of my day for the last two weeks and four days ago I added yoga to my daily exercise as well.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Yet the number on the scale doesn't reflect any of these changes. It would be so easy to give up right now and got get that burger and fries I've been craving. But I am not a quitter; so on I got with this lifestyle change.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So in order to bust my own pity party, I decided to focus on the good things I've discovered these past two weeks while eating healthy and exercising. So here they are, in random order.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><u>1) Oatmeal</u></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As a child, oatmeal was a staple in my house and I loved it. No one makes better oatmeal than my mom. I became an adult and because of lack of time (sounds like a good excuse) stopped eating oatmeal. I didn't really like the instant kind and just never got around to making the other kind. Lo and behold, I have rediscovered oatmeal!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I found this way to make overnight oatmeal in a mason jar. So off to the store I went to get some steel cut oats, almond milk, and chia seeds. Add fruit and honey, and voila, I have found a new way to eat oatmeal. I admit I was a bit skeptical but this is so delicious!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><u>2) Zucchini, Sweet Potato, Black Beans...</u> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I had eaten all of these before but I have found many different ways to cook them without getting bored eating the same stuff over and over. </span><br />
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<u><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">3) Yoga </span></u><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I will admit, yoga has always been scary to me. For years, I have fought against even trying. I have told myself I'm not flexible enough to try any of that stuff. Until now. I decided if I'm going to change my lifestyle, I might as well try something new. So for the last 4 days, I have done yoga. Don't get all excited, I have not done any pretzel shape poses or head stands. This is yoga for complete beginners like me. I found I actually enjoy it. It isn't easy but I noticed today the routine was a lot easier than the first day. I guess it's all about consistency, I can see keeping this in my exercise routine.</span><br />
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<u><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">4) Hummus </span></u><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I had eaten hummus before, but if I had to choose between queso dip and hummus, guess which one won? I bought some last weekend, and oh emm gee, is there anything better with veggies? Even the kids love it. Win-win in my book. </span><br />
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<u><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">5) Almond Milk </span></u><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As a kid, I loved drinking milk. Whole milk, none of that skim milk yuckiness. My love of all things dairy continued until pregnancy happened and I became lactose intolerant. So when it came time to try this overnight oatmeal, I knew I needed some type of milk to go with it. My sweet daughter suggested almond milk, since she knows I love almonds. I'm so glad she did, I'm sold!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Last but not least, I have learned that I can survive without fast food, junk food, and fried food. Even though those were not a part of my daily diet, I have learned to prepare quick meals at home, rather than run through the drive thru on my way home from whatever activity the kids had that night. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Truth be told, I do feel better. I can feel a difference in the way my body feels now that I have gotten rid of most of the processed stuff. It hasn't been easy, but I'm sure it will be worth it in the long run. It's a marathon, not a sprint. </span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5546196956221398487.post-56530562250578285472016-01-07T11:05:00.002-06:002016-01-07T11:05:47.032-06:00Hello to you, 2016!!<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Brand New Year. It's that time again for people to make New Year Resolutions about exercising more, and eating healthier, and start running, and who knows what else. I admit it. I've been one of those people with the list of things I am committing myself to do in the new year; only to fall short a few months later.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This year started a little different for me though. Aside from carrying around a few extra pounds (I have a chip addiction!), I found out, after having some bloodwork done, that some numbers are a little higher than they should be. A lot higher since my gallbladder surgery. Talk about a wake-up call! </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So, instead of new year resolutions, I have I-want-to-live-to-100 resolutions. I have begun exercising regularly and so far, I've exercise every day. I've also modified my eating habits to include more veggies, and healthier versions of the foods I love. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have never been one to diet. As a matter in fact, the thought of dieting made me hungry and always made me binge eat. Seriously. This time I am not dieting. I'm making a conscious decision to adopt healthier eating habits that will stay with me for as long as I'm alive. There isn't a number of pounds I'm looking to lose, or a particular size of clothing I'm wanting to wear. My only goal right now is to be a healthier version of me. Just that simple.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For starters, I am putting my elliptical machine to use. After collecting dust for the majority of last year, it has finally been used consistently the last week. I think it's happy. Ha!</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />I have started tracking my meals so I can easily see what I've eaten and what I may be missing from my diet. I've added foods that I loved as a kid and stopped eating because it was more convenient to pick something "quick" than to fix a meal at home. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I know that healthy eating is going to eventually result in weight loss but that isn't my goal. I have already noticed that I feel better overall, just after one week of exercise and better food. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I plan to blog about life as usual, except now I may be sharing recipes too. Like black bean burgers. Who knew meatless burgers could be so awesome?? </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So welcome to my journey in 2016! Pull up a chair and relax. Oh and no making fun of my yoga poses, ok? </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5546196956221398487.post-27340871904607850092015-08-12T14:04:00.001-05:002015-08-12T14:04:18.513-05:00The skinny about my opinion on body sizes, nutrition, and health<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #741b47;">Let me warn you, I'm about to get on a soap box right now. When it comes to weight, body size etc we have got it all wrong. There. That's the truth.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #741b47;">For starters, being thin/small/tiny doesn't automatically make you healthier. That's a myth and it's time you stop believing it. You can be a size 4 and have cholesterol through the roof. Sure, you can probably rock a bikini the rest of the population can't but you aren't healthy.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #741b47;"> The same is true on the other side. You may not be a size 4 and be in excellent health. When did we decide the size of a body is directly proportional to that person's health? </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #741b47;">Now that you know where I stand on that issue, here is another that comes closer to home, and gives me heartburn. When did we decide that being thin or smaller than the average population is automatically a sign that someone has "eating issues"?. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #741b47;">Considering we are constantly worried about childhood obesity, one would assume children who aren't near the obesity line would have nothing to worry about. I'm here to tell you that isn't the case.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #741b47;">One of the (few) things I inherited from my paternal side were the genes that made me "smaller" than most. I was painfully thin all through childhood, and suffered much teasing because of it. Call it fast metabolism, good genes, or whatever you want, I am a small person, both in height and weight. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #741b47;">I passed this gene to my children who are also thin. One of these kids is now a teenage girl who has to endure comments like "oh my, you are so THIN! You need to eat more!" all the freaking time.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #741b47;">Those of you who know her can attest she doesn't look "sick". She looks healthy, beautiful, shiny black hair, sparkling brown eyes. There is nothing in her appearance that says this kid has an issue with food. Still the comments keep coming. The last comment I received made me laughed at this person: "does she like food?"</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #741b47;">Does she ever!!! She loves to cook, because she loves to eat. She loves chocolate (I blame it on the constant chocolate craving I had while expecting her); and sweet tea. She eats as any normal teenager would I suppose. Perhaps it's in her genes or in the fact she is a dancer and that means she dances from the moment she awakes to the moment she goes to bed (including those trips to walmart when she has to break out into a dance in the middle of the food aisle).</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #741b47;">What really pisses me off is these people are usually parents of other teenagers! You would think because they have a child at home the same age, they would be more sensitive to the feelings of a teenage girl. I have been rude many times when answering these people, and have bragged that she has "good genes", and that's probably the reason she can eat what she likes and not gain an ounce.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #741b47;">The thing is, I shouldn't have to say anything. Because those comments should have never been made. At least not in front of her. Way to crush a girl's self esteem!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #741b47;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #741b47;">All I ever wanted was for my children to be confident in their own skin. Whatever size they are, if they are healthy and happy, that's all I care about. On the same token, I am trying to be a good example for them, specially my daughter, about loving themselves and their bodies, regardless of what that body looks like. Self confidence can only come from loving yourself, not from the label on the back of your jeans.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #741b47;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #741b47;">I have tried (not perfectly) to be confident in myself, and show my kids that age is just a number, and we can be healthy and happy without being supermodels as the media will have them believe. I am the mom who wears a bikini alongside her teenage daughter to show her, even at 40+ years, 3 kids later, and a less than perfect body, I still believe in myself and I still believe I am beautiful. Not in the artificial way that the media portraits, but in the way that can only come from knowing looks are just superficial, and what's inside is what matters most.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #741b47;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #741b47;">I like to think I've succeeded at that. I watch her while she shops and she is daring and not afraid to try clothes on. She doesn't care if she doesn't have the x,y,z attribute someone else does, she is happy with who she is.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #741b47;">Which brings me (the long way) around to healthy eating and better nutrition. Remember when I mention how we love to eat? Well, I forgot to mention we aren't huge fans of vegetables. Mostly my fault. I was the kid who refuse to eat anything green unless it was green cake or green ice cream. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #741b47;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #741b47;">As I aged I became better at eating salads, and some more vegetables. But it wasn't until after I turned 40 that I began to eat things like broccoli. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #741b47;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #741b47;">Anyway, remember when I said looks can be deceiving? Yep, they can be. Although I am in good health, I've been fueling my body with the wrong fuel and well, since I'm now older I've noticed how it affects my energy label, etc; not to mention my weight, which in turn affects my joints, etc, etc. Believe me, no one wants to feel old while they still think of themselves as young.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #741b47;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #741b47;">So I decided it is time to eat more veggies, less carbs, and cut down the crap (notice I said down, not out) so I can feel as young as I think I am. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #741b47;">More than likely this will result in me losing weight, because less carbs tend to do that to a body. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #741b47;">Please, I beg of you, don't make comments like "you didn't really need lose weight!". You are right, I didn't. The reason I made this decision had less to do with a number, and more to do with feeling good every day; rather than feeling like I ran a marathon in my sleep. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #741b47;">I am hoping in the process I can introduce more veggies into our food rotation and get the kids to eat more things. So they don't discover how good broccoli is when they are 40 like I did. Because it is good! Why didn't anyone tell me that for 40 years!!!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #741b47;">So please, stop judging people's health based on what you see outside. Unless you have x-ray vision, you don't know what's beneath the surface. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #741b47;">And if you have ever made a comment about my kids' weight, stop now. Before this mom goes all "angry latina" on you. Trust me, it wouldn't be pretty. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #741b47;"> </span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5546196956221398487.post-21819655705462275342015-08-10T12:33:00.001-05:002015-08-10T13:11:04.996-05:00Uncensored- Homeschooling<span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The opinions posted here are my own, and based solely on my personal experience with homeschooling. While these may not be the "popular" opinions, they are mine. I am sharing them, specially for those who may be curious about homeschooling, who may be considering it, or who are just simply nosy. Because you know we all are a bit nosy.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Homeschooling is not "school at home". Not in this house at least. There are plenty of people who recreate a classroom environment at home. That's fine and dandy but it isn't for me and my crew. We do school at the dinner table, on the couch, in the bed, outside on lawn chairs.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We have a set number of assignments to do each day. We don't set timers, we don't have an alloted timeframe to do a subject each day. Does that mean they get to goof off all day? Of course not. It means if math is challenging, we work on it until we get it right. Can't get cursive quite right? Not a problem. We work for mastery, simple as that. Some days school goes smoother and we are done earlier than others. We don't "teach subjects" to the kids, we like to think we teach them to learn. I love to see the spark in my kids' eyes when we talk about a topic they like, and watch them find a book, or a documentary so they can learn more about it. That's what I've always dreamed of, sparking the love of learning.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I use secular curriculum. I can imagine many shaking their heads right about now. When we first started, I used a Christian curriculum and I didn't like it. It was filled with worksheets and my kids didn't respond well to that. I also didn't feel it broaden my children's view of the subject matter the way I want it.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Don't misunderstand me. I am not passing judgement on anyone who uses Christian materials. We all use what we believe to be best for our kids.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I wanted my kids to get the type of education I received as a kid. I grew up attending private catholic school, and it doesn't get any more conservative than that in my opinion. We prayed before each class period, we had mass once per week and attendance was mandatory. We had a chapel on campus and it was normal to spend a few minutes in silent prayer during recess. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But it was in this same school where I learned about evolution in science, and eastern religions in history. I want my kids to get the same broad understanding I received as a kid. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Does that make me less of a Christian? I don't think so. But I'm sure some will think so. I try not to worry about everyone's opinions when it comes to how I raise my family.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Oh here comes a biggie. It seems the million dollar question these days isn't about socialization of homeschool kids. It's about whether or not parents without a college education can homeschool their kids and do so effectively. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The question is, if you weren't good at math in school, how can you teach your kids math? or science? or english? and the list goes on.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Well, do you know if your kids' teacher in school was good at the subject they are teaching at school right now? </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Let me be honest with you about my decision to homeschool. If my husband and I hadn't attended college, I wouldn't have ever considered homeschooling. Call me a chicken s***, but I would have been terrified to even attempt to do so. We may be on the minority here when it comes to our education level, and I don't know what the answer to the million dollar question is. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What I do know is there are thousands of resources out there to teach those subjects you didn't particularly like in school. Like biology in my case. There are co-ops where another soul braver than me can teach my kids how to dissect a frog, etc. There are online classes, and classes offered by retired teachers too.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I worry less about whether a homeschool parent has a college degree; and more about whether the kid is learning. That goes for kids who attend regular school too. Do parents need a college degree to help kids with the homework they bring home from school? Because, let's phase it, a lot of learning happens at home after the kids get home from school. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Neither of my parents went to college. I attended school and yes, I needed help with homework too. Here I am, many moons later, with both a bachelor and master degrees in engineering. I think they did a fine job helping with homework, and inspiring me to find the answers on my own.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You know, when you say "Oh I could NEVER do that", I don't believe you. You want to know why? Because I was THAT person who said I would never homeschool. Then I was phased with a crossroad and we had to consider it. When someone utters that phrase, I wonder if they are passing judgement. Do they think I don't love my kids as much as they do? Do they feel I took the "easy" way out?</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">People say "oh I don't know HOW you do it". I've been hearing that phrase since my twins were born. I don't know HOW I do it either, I just do. Because it has to be done. Because I love my kids and want what's best for them. How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time. That's how I tackle our homeschooling journey.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And while I'm at it, let me state this for the record. There is nothing wrong with my kids. We don't homeschool because they have "social" issues. They are well adjusted, fun, easy going, kids. They make friends easily, they are typical kids. There are no labels or diagnosis for any of them. Our decision to homeschool them had nothing to do with their ability to attend "regular" school. Don't ask me if they have (insert a label here) because you are bound to get a "look" and a reply you may not like.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Homeschooling isn't free by the way. We don't get anything from the school district we are in, at least not in this state. That means the cost of curriculum and school supplies is all on us. Paper, pencils, electricity, food, ink for the printer, internet? It is all paid by us. There is no "taxpayer" money funding my homeschool.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I could go on and on but I'll leave you with this. We all don't look the same, homeschool the same, or share the same educational philosophies. We all arrived at this decision from a different place. Some people do it for religious reasons, others because of the school district where they reside, others because they feel their kids are better served at home. I've found homeschoolers and regular people are very quick to assume all families arrived at the same place from the same location. Just as we are all different, so are homeschool families. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As for us, our kids are better served at home for now. What the future may bring, I do not know. Our kids are learning and thriving, and we are learning along with them. They have friends, they are happy, and so are we.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5546196956221398487.post-45178452825738272432015-08-06T16:06:00.002-05:002015-08-06T16:09:30.794-05:00Reinvention<span style="color: #783f04;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So this idea that I need to reinvent my blog has been pestering me for a while. The thing is I am a mom, I homeschool, and I also have a career. Those 3 things are part of my daily life, and one couldn't exist without the other two. I want this blog to capture all those aspects of my life that I seldom share.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #783f04;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I don't want this blog to be all about homeschooling, because there are other things I enjoy (ask me how many books are on my nightstand). I don't want it to completely ignore the fact we educate our kids at home; and are slowly trying to break all the stereotypes that come with that responsibility. Lastly, I don't want it to be all about my career. Although it is important to me, there is a whole lot more to me than environmental regulations, and databases.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #783f04;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I also don't want it to be all about opinions. Yes I have plenty of them, and will share my thoughts on those that are close to my heart. So don't expect my opinion on celebrities, because seriously, who the heck cares about them. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #783f04;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So Fasten your seatbelts! This ride may be a little bumpy and crazy, and may be full of surprises. </span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5546196956221398487.post-19320441726470791462015-04-24T13:33:00.001-05:002015-04-24T13:33:28.452-05:00Why I blog<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #20124d;">I'm not new to blogging. I have been doing this (poorly at times) for a long time. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #20124d;">Back in 2007 I decided that having 3 kids, including 9 months old twins, and a full time job wasn't enough of a challenge and decided I wanted to train for a marathon. Why no one questioned my sanity at that time will remain an unsolved mystery. That's when I started blogging. It was a way to document the training and connect with the other people who were part of that training group.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #20124d;">I'm no Forrest Gump, so running because I felt like running wasn't enough; so I decided to raise money for CFC International. If I was crazy enough to run 26.2 miles, someone worthy should benefit from my insanity. Once I had a purpose, the miles didn't seem as daunting. Want to see what I was thinking about back then? Here is where you'll find all about my <a href="http://panama10.blogspot.com/">Road to Chicago</a> Marathon.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #20124d;">After that was over, I decided to continue blogging, and here we are. I have documented so much about my life in this blog. It is therapeutic to me to put my feelings into words, it's always been. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #20124d;">What started as a way to document my marathon training has evolved into a way of sharing what life is like for a crazy Panamanian living in the South. I blog about everything, family, school, books, you name it, if it interests me, I've probably written about it.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #20124d;">Here are some of my favorites (in particular order). I like going back to read and see how much I have 'evolved' in some areas (not afraid of the ocean anymore!) and how I'm still the same in others.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #20124d;">1) Don't know much about me? Here are some <a href="http://journeytothelandofhomeschooling.blogspot.com/2008/10/i-am.html" target="_blank">tidbits</a>. <a href="http://journeytothelandofhomeschooling.blogspot.com/2008/04/always-evolving-list.html">Always evolving</a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #20124d;">2) Not sure where in the world is Panama? <a href="http://journeytothelandofhomeschooling.blogspot.com/2008/06/where-in-world.html" target="_blank">Allow me to show you </a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #20124d;">3) Why I love <a href="http://journeytothelandofhomeschooling.blogspot.com/2008/11/gift-of-reading.html" target="_blank">books </a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #20124d;">4) What would my life be like if I wasn't a mom? <a href="http://journeytothelandofhomeschooling.blogspot.com/2008/12/if.html" target="_blank">I'll tell you </a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #20124d;">5) My <a href="http://journeytothelandofhomeschooling.blogspot.com/2009/01/mission-statement.html" target="_blank">mission statement-</a></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">6) 25 <a href="http://journeytothelandofhomeschooling.blogspot.com/2009/01/random-things-about-me.html" target="_blank">Random things</a> about me </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">7) Know someone expecting twins? Share my <a href="http://journeytothelandofhomeschooling.blogspot.com/2010/03/tutorial-on-twins.html" target="_blank">tutorial</a> with them </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">8) Some of my <a href="http://journeytothelandofhomeschooling.blogspot.com/2010/03/unforgettable-moments-part-1.html" target="_blank">unforgettable </a>moments </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">9) More unforgettable <a href="http://journeytothelandofhomeschooling.blogspot.com/2010/03/unforgettable-moments-part-2.html" target="_blank">moments </a></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">10) Things I've discovered about <a href="http://journeytothelandofhomeschooling.blogspot.com/2014/07/things-ive-discovered-after-year-of.html" target="_blank">homeschooling </a></span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5546196956221398487.post-61171976583777913262015-04-23T11:41:00.002-05:002015-04-23T11:41:38.871-05:00Just because... 14 questions <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #134f5c;">I've been looking for ideas on topics to blog about. Truth be told, writing helps me deal with stress. So I blog because it is cheaper than therapy. Beer is cheaper too. ha! </span></span><span style="background-color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b></b></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><strong>Are you young at heart, or an old soul?</strong></span></span><br />
<span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #134f5c;">I'm an old soul. My sisters will tell you I was the most grown up 5 year old in the world. I've always been the responsible one. That's not to say I'm don't know how to have fun. But I'm most definitely an old soul.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><strong>What Christmas (or Hanukkah) present do you remember the most?</strong></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #134f5c;">I remember several presents but one that I remember fondly was a green army Jeep. I must have been 4 or so at the time, and I asked for a Tonka Truck. Not a doll, not a doll house (I really didn't like dolls that much). I asked for a Tonka Truck. On Christmas morning I had a shiny Army green Tonka Jeep. I loved it! I think it was the first lesson my mom taught me about being myself. It was ok to be a girl that loved cars and didn't care for dolls. I was perfectly ok. That lesson has stayed with me forever.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><strong><strong>If you could pick anywhere to live the rest of your life, where would it be?</strong></strong></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #134f5c;">If you know me well enough, this answer will not surprise you. I would moved back to Panama. I would buy a house in the mountains and live there, happily ever after. There is no place like home.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><strong><strong> </strong></strong></span></span></span><span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><strong><strong><strong>Where was your favorite place to go when you were a little kid?</strong></strong> </strong></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><strong> </strong>My grandparents' house. That place held some many memories of wonderful summers spent with my cousins in the country. I remember the smell of gardenias early in the morning, as I helped my Abuela water her garden. The sound of the coffee grinder as Abuelo got the coffee ready in the morning. Abuela letting me help with breakfast. Helping Abuelo feed the chickens every morning. Watching my grandparents dance under the light of the kerosene lamp, that memory will remain with me forever. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><strong>If you go back to one point in time to give advice to yourself, when would you go and what would you say?</strong> </span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #134f5c;">Just one point in time? Umm, I would say 18. I would tell myself "weigh all options. and do not be afraid".</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><strong>When you were young, what would you dream you would be when you grew up?</strong></span></span><br />
<span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #134f5c;">At 7, I dreamed of being an astronaut. At 10 I wanted to be a lawyer. At 41, I'm still trying to figure out what to be when I grown up. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><strong>What part of the past year sticks out in your mind?</strong></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #134f5c;">Turning 40. It marked the beginning of the rest of my life </span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: #134f5c;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">You win a scratch-off lottery game that gives you $2000 a week (after taxes) for the rest of your life. Do you keep your job?</span></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I would have to do the math first to make sure, but at first thought, YES! I would find another job doing something I'd love even if it paid less than my current job.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><strong>Have you ever met someone through the internet, then met them in real life?</strong></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #134f5c;">Yes! These women have become some of my closest "imaginary" friends. They share the good days and the bad ones too. Life is better because I've met them.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><strong>What is your ethnic heritage?</strong></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The politically correct term is Hispanic. I don't use that term. I'm Latina, I'm Panamanian. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">As far as I know, there is Spanish and native Indian blood running through my veins. I suspect there is Asian blood too, considering my children are often asked if they are Asian. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><strong>Are you hard-headed?</strong></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">who, me? Absolutely not. ok, maybe a little. Ok, I am. Happy now?</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"> <strong>What gets you out of bed in the morning</strong></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> The dog. He is ready to eat as soon as the alarm goes off.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><strong>Do you want to live until you’re 100?</strong></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Yes. I want to see my kids get married and meet my grandkids </span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><strong>Give me the story of your life in six words.</strong></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Dreamer filled with passion and determination.</span></span><br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5546196956221398487.post-78114399622027194422015-04-22T09:52:00.002-05:002015-04-22T09:58:11.225-05:00Why I love a good book<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: purple;">I love books. In my dreams, I have a library as big as my house, filled with books, with a huge fireplace and comfy chair right next to it. And I spend endless hours there, immersed in the stories I find in the books.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: purple;">Of course, reality is a different thing. I still love books, and I love the library. Last weekend, I ran to the library before it closed and decided to let a book find me. That's usually how I find the hidden gems that I wouldn't otherwise know about.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: purple;">I circled the For Sale table several times before I saw it. It had that plastic wrapping that librarians put on books to preserve them. The moment I read the title I knew this was going home with me. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Family-Bridge-Natalie-Savage-Carlson/dp/0064402509" target="_blank">The Family Under the Bridge</a> . I'm not sure I had ever heard of that book but I knew this book would find a new home with us.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: purple;">In case you don't remember, I have chronicled our <a href="http://journeytothelandofhomeschooling.blogspot.com/2015/02/aslan-who-family-reading-time-sort-of.html">adventures </a>in reading before. Knowing my kids, I decided, when it came to this book, they would have to either read it, or listen to me read it. I let you guess which one they chose. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: purple;">It wasn't without grumbling that they turned off the xBox and gathered on the bed for our reading time. They tried to convince me they would read it by themselves (yeah, right!) but I said no. I'm reading it to you, so listen up.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: purple;">To say I love this book is an understatement. It wasn't until I read it that I realized it has won a Newberry Award and it is well deserved. The story is about a hobo (yes that's how he is referenced in the book), Armand, who finds a family of 3 kids and their mom living under the bridge that he calls home in Paris. The kids steal his heart, and by the end of the book, he and this family become family.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: purple;">So many lessons wrapped in one little book. We looked up pictures of Notre Dame Cathedral and the gargoyles referenced in the book, we talked about the gypsies and learned more about their culture; and we talked about compassion.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: purple;">This homeless man feels compassion towards these children who lost their father and their home. He takes them in, and watches over them while their mother works. He does his best to keep their family together, and in turn, becomes part of their family. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: purple;">The book is about family, but not only those related by blood, but also those who stand by you and protect you when the times get rough. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: purple;">When we finished the book last night, the boys said "wow, that was a really good book". And one of them even said "I'm so glad you read that book. I really liked it". </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: purple;">That's all the reassurance I need to continue to read to them no matter how old they get. They may grumble, they may complain. But once the story grabs them, and envelops them, they will lose themselves in the story and wish it would never end. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: purple;"> That's why I love books. How else could we travel to Paris at Christmas time, meet gypsies, and hang out with a hobo named Armand? Books are magical places, I pray my kids will soon discover that for themselves. </span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5546196956221398487.post-18138322509467601062015-04-21T15:33:00.000-05:002015-04-21T15:36:18.012-05:00Today I am me...<h1 class="quoteText">
<i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: blue;">“Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than You.” Dr. Seuss.</span></span></i></h1>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></span></i></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I love Dr. Seuss. He had a way to explain things, didn't he? </span></span></span></span></h1>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I haven't gone on a trekk to see the Dalai Lama or the Pope or in some journey of self discovery. As life has been unraveling, I've come to realize that I am me. And Me is perfectly ok.</span></span></span></span></h1>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm a mother above all things. I love my kids with all that I am and all I have and I hope one day they will remember the things I do with them with fondness. I don't read parenting books, or blogs about parenting, or ask people how to handle a particular situation with my kids (unless it's people in my inner circle). It's not that I think I'm smarter, or better than any other parent. It's simply because I am unique as are my children as are all other parents in the world. So what may work for someone else doesn't necessarily works for me. I am who I am, and my kids are who they are so we will have to figure out our relationship as we go, without having other people's opinions influence it.</span></span></span></span></h1>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm also a working mother. Before anyone gets their feathers ruffled, I'm not implying moms who stay home don't work. I get up every morning, get dressed up, put on my stilettos and head to my office. I spend most of my days surrounded by other professionals, discussing things that would kill most people with boredom. And I often feel judged but the moms who chose to stay home with their kids, because I don't spend every waking hour with them. I bring my kids to work with me from time to time. They love telling people about my office, and how "cool" it is that I have this, or that in here. I think they are getting a chance to see that women can have a career and still be simply moms at the end of the day. One day my daughter will have to choose between staying home or having a career while simultaneously raising a family. Regardless of her choice, I'll know I raised a woman capable of making the best choice for herself and her family. Do I want her to follow my footsteps? No, because she is not me, her path will be her own.</span></span></span></span></h1>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm a homeschooling mother. I don't fit the stereotypical idea most people have of a homeschooling mom. I didn't chose this path for religious reasons, I chose this path because I believed it was the best choice for us. I still do. I homeschool off the beaten path, starting with my curriculum choices. I decided when we started that trying to recreate school at home wasn't going to work for us. I guess you can say we approach school our own way. I allow my kids to learn from videos and computers, and while running outside, and from encyclopedias. I don't think learning is restricted to textbooks and quizzes, so I allow my kids to narrate back to me what they learned rather than having to write it. Does that mean I think other families are wrong if they do use quizzes, and worksheets? No. You do what works for your family. It's that simple. Yet I see so much judgement between the homeschool community for those who do things "off the beaten path".</span></span></span></span></h1>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I volunteer my time. I'm sure there are some who think I should be spending more time with the kids rather than spending time doing charity work. But I believe in paying it forward. Spending time with a child who may have no one to encourage them or to say a kind word to them makes me realize just how blessed I am to have such an incredible support system of family and friends. I want my kids to grow up watching me pay it forward so one day they will do the same. Let's keep the kindness alive.</span></span></span></span></h1>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am opinionated, and stubborn, and determined. I speak my mind, and yes, from time to time, I stick my foot in my mouth. I love fiercely and I defend myself and my own the same way. I don't conform to the norm, I don't want to be a cookie cutter version of someone else. </span></span></span></span></h1>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I often tell the kids they don't have to do what others kids do just because it's the "thing to do". Do what you feel it's right for you; not because Suzie Q. said it was what the cool kids are doing. And who decides who the cool kids are anyway? There is so much peer pressure out there for our kids. Starting with when girls are old enough to date and wear makeup, and get belly button rings, and the list goes on. I want my kids to be ok being who they are, not who their friends think they should be. </span></span></span></span></h1>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Always remember "there is no one alive who is youer than you". And that's good enough for me.</span></span></span></span></h1>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></span></span></span></h1>
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<i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: blue;"> </span></span></i></h1>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5546196956221398487.post-32814135551038462442015-02-18T12:02:00.002-06:002015-02-18T12:05:30.469-06:00Yes, you CAN!<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's that time of the year when homeschool moms start thinking about the upcoming year. Some already know what curricula they will use for their children. Then there are others like me, who have tried a few, and are now ready to settle in using a different one and praying this is the one that works for all parties involved.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have been doing research, and had found the one curriculum I think will work wonderfully for my active boys. The one that will keep them interested in the lessons, and with plenty of hands on activities for them to enjoy (and burn some energy). I downloaded sample pages and the more I looked through them, the more I liked what I saw.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I really should have stopped then. I came across a post on a facebook group where someone mentioned this other curriculum, and then this other... Before I knew I was second guessing myself and the choice I thought I had already made.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thing is, I never second guessed the education my children were getting when they were attending a brick and mortar school. I never asked to see the lesson plans, or the textbooks that would be used to educate them. I blindly trusted someone else, a stranger, to make those choices for me. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">{Not trying to start a debate between school vs homeschool. This is just my personal observation, that affects solely the people I gave birth to. You do what you believe is best for your children. I am doing the best by mine.}</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So here I was, on a late Saturday night, ready to pull my hair because I couldn't figure out which of three curriculum I was researching was the best one for the boys; and I couldn't really figure out what math would work best for my daughter.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In a moment of (rare) sanity, it came to me. I know my children best. I have watched them learn for two years at home; and I know what works for them, what gets them excited about learning, what helps thing go smoothly. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">How the lessons are presented is just as important (to me) as the material that's being taught. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Why didn't I ever question the curricula the school chose for the kids? Maybe because I am a product of regular school. Maybe we are taught not to question those who educate us. I honestly don't know why I never did.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What I do know is I am quite capable of picking the curriculum that it's going to allow my kids to learn and still have fun doing it. I understand that sometimes they need to stand up and move around while I read to them, or that they need to burn some energy off in between their lessons. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I know that they are auditory learners, and what that means when it comes to how they learn.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I know my children and I CAN choose what works best for them to make their learning experience a happy one. I should trust my choice just as much (or more) as I did those choices that were made for me when they were attending school. </span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5546196956221398487.post-71007893560783157142015-02-06T19:03:00.002-06:002015-02-06T19:03:32.013-06:00What every homeschooler needs, the other "S" word in homeschooling: SUPPORT<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">There is a dirty little S word among homeschoolers no one wants to hear. The dreaded "socialization". It is the first thing a family gets asked when the decision is made to homeschool and it seems to be the one thing non-homeschoolers worry the most about. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">But this isn't about that dreaded word, this one is about what I believe every homeschool family needs: SUPPORT, specially from other homeschool families.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">My family has been incredibly blessed to have found support even before we began this journey. I was lucky enough to know someone who, unbeknownst to me until then, homeschools. She offered her support, guidance, and when a group was being formed at her church, she invited me to join them.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">For the last two years, we have joined the other families in this group for fun activities and field trips. Yes the kids get a chance to "socialize" but honestly, I think I get the most out of these opportunities. There is nothing as encouraging as talking to another parent about an issue you are facing and have them say "oh yeah we have gone through that too". We are all at different stages in our homeschool journey; and I've always received lots of support and encouragement when I've needed it.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You may be thinking, why do you need support? Don't homeschoolers want to be left alone, and be away from the general population? Isn't that why you took your kids out of school?</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Well no, but that's a story for another time. If there is a family out there who homeschools to stay away from the rest of humanity, I obviously haven't encountered them. Because, you know, they are staying away from the rest of us.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Today some of our group got together to have a Valentine's Day party for the kids. I was reminded then how blessed I am to be part of a group that supports my journey, who makes us feel welcome, and who actually cares about us.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Why should you join a group if you homeschool?</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1) Support. <br />Yes your family may be supportive, and your friends may be supportive. But unless your family has homeschooled and your friends are in the trenches with you, you still need the support of people who are traveling the same road.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">On the days when the kids will not listen, when the laundry is piling up, and you are ready to flag the yellow bus down the next morning and ship them off to school, you need someone to remind you "this too shall pass". </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2) Curriculum suggestions</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We've only been doing this for two years, and we have changed curriculum several times. Not because they were not good but because they didn't work for my kids. So what do you do when you are in search of yet another one? You go to that group of parents who has traveled that same road and ask them for suggestions. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">3) Resources</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Looking for a used curriculum sale, suggestions on how to test your kid, or just a recommendation for a book/movie for you or the kids? Look no further.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">4) Friendships</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sitting with someone and talking about parenthood always makes me feel normal. Really, it does. It helps me realize that my kids aren't as terrible as I think, they are just kids. When you sit to talk to a parent who homeschools, you already have something in common; and it gives you grounds to explore what other things you may both like. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">5) It is fun</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Whether you are in group that meets on a regular basis, or part of an online community, being part of a group is fun. You can laugh together at the frustrations that come with daily life, about the funny thing your kids did, or just hang out while the kids get to spend time doing that other S word, socialize.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So if you are considering homeschooling, make sure to find a group that can offer you more than just socialization for the kids. One that will offer you the support you need.</span></span><br />
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<a href="http://www.weirdunsocializedhomeschoolers.com/weekly-wrap-up/" target="_blank" title="Weekly Wrap-Up"><img alt="Weekly Wrap-Up" src="http://www.weirdunsocializedhomeschoolers.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Weekly-Wrap-Up1.jpg" style="border: none;" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5546196956221398487.post-61105834134586119492015-02-05T15:37:00.000-06:002015-02-05T15:37:11.698-06:00Just call me Mr. Magoo<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Does anyone remember the cartoon character Mr. Magoo? The bald, blind man who would run over everyone driving because he couldn't see? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Today I feel like him. You see, I forgot to make an appointment with the ophtalmologist for my annual exam. My contacts, which I'm only suppose to wear for 30 days before throwing them away, are now 30 days passed their expiration date; and the earliest appointment I could get is still 4 weeks away.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So at the risk of causing my eyes permanent damage, and rendering myself completely blind, I decided to wear my glasses. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You see, I have a love/hate relationship with them. I love the fact they allow me to see, but I don't really like to wear them. I guess it all goes back to being in high school and being called "nerd" because not only did I need glasses, I was sort of a nerd.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I see other women who look great wearing their glasses and think "I wish I could look like that with mine". I just can't pull off the look. I guess I've gotten so used to the reflection on the mirror that I don't recognize myself with glasses. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I put my contacts away last night (just in case); and wore my glasses to work today. Talk about trying to adjust! Everything looks weird, I spent half the morning feeling like I had too many tequila shots before work; and finally at lunch; I closed my door, took them off and allowed my eyes to rest for a bit. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Will I make it until my appointment? I really don't know. I'll give it a few more days and then we'll see what happens. In the meantime, just call me Mrs Magoo.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-49h2AnFEZ80/VNPht33pN7I/AAAAAAAABHc/xkvqbWmCKgE/s1600/glasses.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-49h2AnFEZ80/VNPht33pN7I/AAAAAAAABHc/xkvqbWmCKgE/s1600/glasses.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5546196956221398487.post-84891758898662016742015-02-04T08:27:00.003-06:002015-02-04T08:27:18.949-06:00Aslan who?? Family Reading Time. Sort of<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Our homeschool adventure has gone through many changes in the past two years. It seems we (and by that I mean me) are always trying to find new ways to do things, adapting to new schedules, you get the idea.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After the holidays, I decided that my kids spent too much time in front of the tube. If asked, they would emphatically deny that statement but I know what I know. So a new rule was established: no TV during the week, and only allowed with permission on weekends.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Too harsh? Not in my book. I grew up in a household with no TV. On those days when I wasn't outside playing with the neighborhood kids; I would be sitting somewhere in the house with a book. I simply love books. I have been known for spending a weekend lost in a book and forgetting all about the laundry, the dishes, and eating takeout.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So cutting TV time was an experiment to get my kids to read more. Don't get me wrong, they do read. But I want them to love books as much as I do. My suggestion was met with several raised eyebrows, so I suggested we have "family reading time" at first; until we all got into the groove of things.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I chose to begin with The Chronicles of Narnia books. Kids have seen one of the movies, so it seemed like a perfect choice. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Picture this: a mom sitting on a chair with the children at her feet, attentively listening to every word she reads to them, with a roaring fire in the background.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">That isn't quite the image we created. Ours looks something like this.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Kids, it's reading time. Let's all gather on my bed". "Do we have to?? Can I read a different book?" "NO, I'm reading and you are listening. Now gather up".</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Picture a mess of kids and a dog (gotta have the dog on the bed, he likes stories too) in one bed. I begin to read about Digory and Polly, and how Narnia was created when Aslan began singing...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"leave the dog alone!". "stop putting your feet on your brother!". "put your legs down, you are going to kick your sister on the face"</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I continue on to how the wiser animals formed the council, how the Cabby and his wife became the first King and Queen of Narnia... </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"why did he choose the Cabby?. "who made him King? "weren't you listening? mom just said Aslan did". "I wasn't asking you. Mom, would you answer my question?"</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sigh. There is no roaring fire, or perfect little kids gathered at my feet, eager to hear every word. But we are doing it. We are close to the end of the first book and will move on to the next one until we have read them all.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As a mom who spends 9 hours per day away from home, this is my quality time with the kids. There are nights we only get to read a couple of pages, and other nights when the kids want to take turns reading. They get to hear quality literature read to them and hopefully it will eventually spark in them a desire to read that will never go away.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Either way, we are not giving up on our reading time. Even when the dog is the most attentive of all the participants. </span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5546196956221398487.post-26667775700332423342015-02-03T15:56:00.000-06:002015-02-03T15:56:02.339-06:00What I've learned from my dog<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Dog owners everywhere, unite! There is no greater joy than owning a dog, is there? They just make life better, don't they?</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Back in October, we added Max to our family. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dBaVY5gSBKg/VNE_Mp67a-I/AAAAAAAABG8/1xOSh8-NUHc/s1600/babymax.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dBaVY5gSBKg/VNE_Mp67a-I/AAAAAAAABG8/1xOSh8-NUHc/s1600/babymax.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> This little fur ball arrived at Casa Johnson in October. He was 4 weeks old and I just knew he was a keeper. There have been so many lessons learned since Max joined our family. We are a homeschooling family after all, we find lessons everywhere. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1) Potty Training a dog is very much like potty training toddlers. Most of the time they know what they are supposed to do, but it's a lot more fun to watch mom react to you going in the middle of the floor. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2) Bath time can be fun. Just delegate it to the kids and pray the house isn't flooded by the time the dog is clean.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">3) Your kitchen counters are never high enough, specially if your dog is half Great Dane. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">4) Having a sick dog is just as bad as having a sick kid. You will not sleep well, you will make yourself sick with worry; only to have the creature bounce back as if nothing ever happened. True story.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">5) Your bed is their bed. And by their I mean the kids' and the dog's. That's where they all go to congregate. I have found the dog and kids all piled on the bed, pondering the laws of the universe. Or just watching TV. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">6) The puppy stage doesn't last long when your "puppy" is part Great Dane. We have a dog that looks like an adult but still behaves as a puppy. Sometimes we have to remind ourselves he is still a baby.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">7) There is no moment as precious as your family holding hands and praying together; including the dog. Kodak moment.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">8) No one is as happy to see me after a long day at work as Max is. All he knows is "Mama is home"! </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">9) Need to let the stress melt away? Just climb in bed and let that big baby snuggle up to you. Pure bliss.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">10) Dogs will steal your covers, your pillows, your food; and most importantly, your heart. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Our family is complete with Max. He is spoiled (and he knows it!); he is crazy at times (fits right in with the kids); and he has brought the joy we didn't know we were missing. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">How can you not love a face like this one? </span></span><br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5546196956221398487.post-33736171495156895882014-08-25T08:37:00.002-05:002014-08-25T11:38:03.740-05:003 weeks down, 33 more to go<span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So we have officially finished week 3 of this new school year. Things are going a lot better than last year, mostly in part to me being a lot more organized and definitely more relaxed about this whole homeschooling thing. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I decided to do a few things the "easier", less stubborn way this year. Instead of trying to customize a regular planner as my homeschool one, I purchased the <a href="http://www.mardel.com/A-Simple-Plan-Family-Planner-2014-15-3050986.aspx" target="_blank">Simple Plan by Mardel. </a></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This planner is a lifesaver! It has enough room for me to plan for all 3 kids, to make notes about things going on that particular week, and a huge calendar at the beginning of the month to keep up with deadlines. (and yes, I do try to color code for each kid, but some times get all confused; and end up using pink for all 3, or blue, or whatever pen I have on my hand)</span></span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ho36znL0yJ0/U_s3Bl-TvLI/AAAAAAAABBw/VBOK8zvCTpk/s1600/IMG_4806.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ho36znL0yJ0/U_s3Bl-TvLI/AAAAAAAABBw/VBOK8zvCTpk/s1600/IMG_4806.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Each of the kids has their own planner to write down their assignment. I found them at Walmart; and while these are working fine for now, I may need to start researching some for next year that make the whole "writing down assignments" a bit more fun.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Have I mentioned how much I love the science curriculum we are using? I chose <a href="http://www.pandiapress.com/" target="_blank">REAL Science Odyssey from Pandia Press</a> this year. I chose the Life Science for the boys; and Biology 2 for the girl. We love it. For the boys, in addition to the curriculum material and the labs (two each week, fun!) we have used books from the library; Magic School bus videos; and <a href="http://studyjams.scholastic.com/studyjams/index.htm" target="_blank">Study Jams from Scholastic </a>to supplement. My boys love science; so they will do as much as the day will allow. What I love most is they remember what they've learned. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have a confession to make: I never liked Biology in high school. I took one semester, and when I had a choice, switched to Physics. It just wasn't my thing. So this year I'm learning as we go through Biology 2. It is very complete, and my girl does science every day. I love this curriculum because it includes 2 labs each week (one that uses a microscope); as well as a section on a famous scientist. Not only is she learning science, there is history also included.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The last two weeks we were working on cells; so the boys assignment was to make an animal cell model; while the oldest had to work on a model for an animal cell. So we decided we wanted to make our cells edible; because, well, why not?</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The boys had to present on their cells as did my girl. As she was going over each part of the cell and its function, I remembered why I didn't like biology all those years ago. The funky names! Golgi apparatus?? </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Anyway the cake was delicious and she even made the buttercream frosting from scratch. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We obviously did more than just science in the last 3 weeks, but I think science is the most fun of all the subjects, don't you? I can't wait til we do chemistry! </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am very pleased with the curriculum I chose for this year. I think it's working out a lot better; it is a lot easier for me to keep up with where they are; and what we need to spend more time on. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I took advantage of the huge sale going on at <a href="http://www.shopgreatproducts.com/" target="_blank">Great Products </a>and purchased shirts for my crew. They loved it. These three have embraced this homeschool adventure so I rewarded them with these shirts. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And I purchased this sticker for my car. Because every homeschooler I know has been asked the dreaded question "what about socialization?". Well, if you know me, you know this is my sense of humor. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We are doing a year round schedule this year, so we are on week 4 of 6 before we get our first break. I think we are going to love this new schedule. Who does not like having a week of vacation every 6 weeks? Our first week off will find us on the beach; as we are taking a much needed vacation. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Just two more weeks!</span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5546196956221398487.post-63058178529298358272014-08-09T19:01:00.000-05:002014-08-09T19:01:43.012-05:00Working and homeschooling, our journey<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #351c75;">We began our new year just last week. The kids did really well, and I think we are off to a great start. I'm excited to try the new year round schedule, where we school for 6 weeks then take 1 week off. Yes it is going to take us all into the summer; but summer is hot here and it's hard to plan activities when it's miserably steamy outside. So I'm excited to give this new arrangement a try.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Most people ask me "how can you work full time, and homeschool?" No, I'm not a superwoman, I have no special powers. I don't have a maid, or a laundry person. There are no babysitters ready to step in when we need a break. It's just my husband, myself, and the kids here.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Once we decided to homeschool, I searched all over cyberspace for blogs from moms who were in the same situation as I, and didn't find many. There are tons of posts out there about working from home and homeschooling; and I've learned a bit from them. But our situation is still very different. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm working full time outside of my house, in an office; while the schooling is taking place at my house. My husband works part time; and although it is from home, it isn't a desk job. He has to be outside to do his job, and we are thankful he has the flexibility to do most of the schooling.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So what is a mom who works full time away from home to do if she wants to homeschool? In my personal experience, you need a partner who is committed to making homeschool work. That person can be your husband, or your mom, or the babysitter who is going to watch the kids while you are at work. It takes more than one person, at least when the kids are small.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I've found I need to be super organized. I have to keep track of what all three of the kids are doing in school, since I do all the planning and recordkeeping. I have a planner solely for my homeschool lessons; another one solely for work. And I keep any appointments that need reminders on my phone. Would it be easier to keep one with everything? For someone it may be the case, but for me, I need to keep work and home separately.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The next one seems like a no brainer but supportive friends are one of the top 3 things I've needed. My friends have cheered me on from day one. Never questioned my ability to educate my children. They know me well enough to know I will do the best for my kids. There will be plenty of so called friends who will withdraw their friendship once the decision to homeschool is made public. But the good ones? Those will cheer you on and keep you sane. I'm blessed to have a group of women who, although none of them homeschools, they have been there, ready to hear me out and cheer me on. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I've also been lucky enough to find a great homeschool group. Families who are walking in this path, and who can offer support and tips on how to deal with situations unique to homeschool families. I have gotten some great insight from them, lots of tried and true tips on how to do this; and I'm just glad I found them early enough in this journey. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Aside from the people in your life, you are going to need great curricula. Do you need a college degree to homeschool? Not really. But you do need great material to make the whole process easier.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have researched tons of different curricula, to find the ones that not only teach the kids what they will need but it is also easy to use for all of us. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">That doesn't necessarily mean a "box" curriculum; or online one, or an accredited one. It means the one that works for you, and your kids. We use a mix of software, textbooks, and even e-books. I didn't chose a box set; I pieced mine together from different manufacturers to better suit the learning style of my kids. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Opinions in regards to homeschooling are like belly buttons. Everyone has one and everyone thinks they need to share theirs with you. You are going to need a thick skin if you choose to do this and still work full time. People have openly doubted my husband's ability to carry on his part of the schooling while I'm at work. To say I wasn't pleased would be an understatement. There will be others who will question your ability to do your job because you homeschool. Does anyone question the professionalism of homeschooling dads? </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Then there is the whole socialization stigma. You know the one. People want to know how will the kids be socialized now that they don't attend school. I never sent my kids to school so they could have a social life. I did it to give them a good education, that was my priority. The same is true for my decision to homeschool. And in case anyone wonders, they get plenty of social time.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Can you homeschool and still work full time? Gosh I hope so because that's exactly what I'm doing. During the day I'm an engineer and a manager; but the minute I get home; I'm a homeschooling mom. We review lessons while I' m cooking, we sit at the table and talk about our days. We get our planners ready for the next day; work on any science experiments that go with the daily lesson; and we go to bed knowing the next day will be filled with still more adventures. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We make it work because we are committed to be successful. This is a marathon, not a sprint. So we will take it one week at a time. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5546196956221398487.post-21528741389514793332014-08-04T17:43:00.002-05:002014-08-04T17:43:25.425-05:00New School Year has begun!<span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Buckle your seat belts, put your seats in the upright position, because this plane is taking off!</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Today was our first official day of the 2014-2015 year. My house has officially a 7th grader and two 3rd graders. To say I'm a little overwhelmed is an understatement.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My day began quite early, because unlike the kids, I am an early riser. Not by choice, but necessity as I have to be at work early every day. <br />I made the kids a special breakfast since it was their first day: Cinnamon rolls. I wish I had taken a picture, but there wasn't time or any left for that matter.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The kids were eager to start, if only so they could get in their workboxes and dig out the snacks I had placed in there last night after they went to bed. We started our morning with a prayer and off we went.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The day was long, and it had its moments (meltdowns and tears) but overall we had a much better day than we did a year ago. We all know what to expect and we all know the work has to get done.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In a matter of hours, I realized how grateful I am that two of my kids are twins; because I honestly don't know how moms of more than 1 kid homeschool. Trying to figure out how to schedule time on the computer was the very first hurdle I encountered. No matter how well planned it was in my planner, one of the boys took his sweet time completing the assignment; while his sister waited to get started on hers.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I finally just sent my husband to buy a laptop because, well, we just need one. That made the rest of the day go a lot smoother. It allowed my daughter to do her school work without the constant "get off the computer, it's my turn" chant.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The twins received a reminder that their school work is their responsibility, not mine or their dad's. If they take all day; well they will have no free time. So use your time wisely. This year we are back to using agendas; so they have no excuse for not knowing what they are supposed to do. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We started with a lighter load this week; which I think made a huge difference today. We will add geography, art, and history next week, once we have a routine going. I really need to find an online curriculum for Spanish, because as much as I want to teach them at night, it's just not happening. Their time around me needs to be so they can practice their Spanish; not for lessons. Off to find something that will satisfy me.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My 7th grader will also be getting a lesson in time management this year. I have not scheduled her day as I did her brothers. I've given her assignments that need to be completed each day; and reminded her all has to be done; no exceptions. I'm here to guide her on how to manage her day but I want to see her try first. I won't always be there to do it for her; and I've seen my share of people in the real world who have zero time management skills in the workplace.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm cautiously optimistic that this year will go a lot smoother than last. We are doing a year round schedule so we have a lot of flexible time, for those times when life happens; or mom just needs a vacation.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Oh and I leave you with our newly redone study room aka dining room </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5546196956221398487.post-13149300275367372112014-08-01T13:44:00.000-05:002014-08-01T14:00:45.531-05:00Let's get ready to rock! Getting ready for our 2nd year of Homeschool<span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Can you hear that grumble? That's the sound of my kids grumbling at the thought school is about to start. Why can't summer last forever? </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">All good things must come to an end and we are getting ready to begin our 2nd year of homeschooling. Wow. We actually survived our first one unscathed. All children are alive, dad didn't run away from home, and mom is still somewhat sane.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This year I have a 7th grader. Allow me to take a few moments to digest that information. I have a child who is a 7th grader. I am beginning to plan for high school and transcripts and college. When did all this happen?</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As if having her entering 7th grade wasn't enough evidence of my aging, I also have 2 boys entering 3rd grade. They went to camp this summer, and came back in one piece (and with a few extra items of clothing in their bags!). No longer my tiny twin boys, they are proudly over 4 ft tall and growing every second.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Planning for this year was a lot easier. For starters, I ordered Cathy Duffy's <a href="http://cathyduffyreviews.com/general-book-reviews/101-top-picks.htm" target="_blank">101 top picks for homeschool curriculum</a>. This book was worth every penny. I read it cover to cover in a weekend. It helped me to narrow down the curriculum I wanted to further research. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After weeks of research, and research, and more research; I finally came up with the winners for our 2014-2015 school year. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Drumroll please....</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><u>Math: </u> </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Singapore Math-Standard edition</b>. I know there are many great math curriculum out there but I love this one. The engineer in me can't help but love it. It actually makes the kids think through the math problems, set up simple equations, and I think it's a great foundation for Algebra, and higher maths. All 3 of the kids are using it. No complaints!</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We also use Khan Academy to supplement. Not because the curriculum needs it but because my kids like the site, and earning points; and it gives them extra practice. Can't never have too much math. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><u>History </u></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Another one we kept this year. <b>Story of the World Volume 2</b>. I purchased the activity book this year, and I plan on adding more in depth projects for my 7th grader. I like that it is engaging for the boys, and they are enjoying learning about different civilizations.</span></span><br />
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<u><span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Geography</span></span></u><br />
<span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This year I chose <b>Trail Guide to World Geography</b>. With 3 kids, I needed something that could be used for all 3 and this one can be as simple or as in depth as I want. </span></span><br />
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<u><span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Spelling</span></span></u><br />
<span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I really had to think this one through. Last year we used Spelling City and while I liked it, the kids didn't care for it. Then we switched to workbooks, and that was just not their thing. Finally settled on <b>Spelling Power</b>. I love I can use it with all 3 kids, and also the placement tests. I know where to begin with each, and it's based on their knowledge and not a set school grade. The fact is a 15 min per day program makes it a winner in my book!</span></span><br />
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<u><span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Grammar</span></span></u><br />
<span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Instead of using one language art curriculum as we did last year, I broke it into the other pieces. The all encompassing one was great for me, but the kids do better with separate ones. <b>Editor-in-Chief</b>, from the Critical Thinking Company, is what we are trying this year. They offer both workbooks and software, and they all wanted something they could do on the computer; so we chose the software.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><u>Reading Comprehension</u></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Again, Critical Thinking Company had what I was looking for. <b>Reading Detective</b> is what my 7th grader will be using. Considering the college entrance test include so much reading and comprehension; I want to go ahead and begin to get her ready. I chose not to purchase one of the 3rd graders yet. I am going to have them read books and then summarize them for me as part of their writing program; and later on move to a more structured format. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">All 3 will be reading and keeping a log of books read. At least 2 each month for the little ones, one a month for the oldest since she will be reading bigger books. </span></span><br />
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<u><span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Writing </span></span></u><br />
<span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So writing isn't one of those things that comes easy to my kids. Telling any of them to write a paper is asking for a lot of whining and complaining and ... you get the idea.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I came across the <b>Writer's Jungle</b> and had one of those aha moments. Here was a gentle way to get them started before purchasing one of the more rigorous programs. My focus this year is to get them writing, period. Yes there will be editing, and correcting grammar but specially for the younger ones, they need to just get used to writing.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><u>Science </u></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am giddy just thinking about how much fun we are going to have this year. The boys will be using <b>R.E.A.L. Science Odyssey: Life Science</b>; while my girl will be using <b>R.E.A.L. Science Biology 2</b>. One thing all 3 had requested for this year was lots of hands on activities; and they wanted to do biology. <br />I'm a science girl, but biology wasn't my "thing". I was a chemistry/physics gal and even though I took biology and later biochemistry in college, I was nervous about it. Until I found this curriculum. It's all laid out for me and I'm sure I'm going to be loving biology by the time we get done.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Of course next year we are doing chemistry because it's my turn!</span></span><br />
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<u><span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Typing</span></span></u><br />
<span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My oldest is going to use Typing Web this year. I like that it's free because I don't think she needs a whole lot, she already types. But she wanted a formal typing lesson, and who am I to argue?</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><u>Art</u> </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am not artistic. I will do watercolor painting because it's relaxing and perfect for stress relief but I'm just not artistic. My kids are, which makes for an interesting combination. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Aside from letting them create masterpieces; we are going to study some artists; and expose them to good art with field trips. I enjoy museums so we go as often as time and funds allow. </span></span><br />
<br />
<u><span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Handwriting/Copywork</span></span></u><br />
<span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We are continuing copywork this year. Aside from using literature excerpts and exposing the kids to good writing, we need to get in the habit of writing before we begin cursive writing next semester. We haven't chosen a curriculum for cursive yet though. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Aside from all of this, two are continuing with their piano lessons, the other with his Han Mu Do (Korean Martial Arts); and my girl is still taking dance lessons. We are also doing soccer (one of the boys), and hopefully tennis. They also want to run 5k so my running shoes will be getting some mileage this fall.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I feel a lot more relaxed this year compared to last. I guess it's in part because I know what to expect. Also because we are going to homeschool year round so I don't feel like I have to accomplish everything in a short amount of time (as I felt last year). </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here is to a great new year!</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></span><u><span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></span></u>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5546196956221398487.post-32411909136940455872014-07-31T09:11:00.001-05:002014-07-31T09:11:58.414-05:00Things I've discovered after a year of homeschooling<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Summer flew by and school is about to start once again. We are no longer "new" to homeschooling, our first year is behind us. So I thought I would list the things I have learned and encountered in the last year or so; about myself, my kids, and everyone else we know.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1) Homeschooling is NOT easy. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Some people believe homeschooling families choose this path out of laziness. The thought is laughable at best. All your household chores are still there, and now you have your child's education to focus on. You may never catch up with your sleep, your laundry, or the rest of the chores. There are field trips to be taken, lessons to be covered, and guess what? There are no sick days.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Kids don't play video games all day; and eat junk food while you watch soap operas. That's a myth. </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2) Kids dread the first day of school, even those who are homeschooled.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is a sentiment I cannot relate to because I loved school. Literally. I was the kid who could not sleep the night before due to the excitement. It wasn't about seeing my friends again; it was all about what I was going to learn. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have heard my kids say "ugh, I'm not ready to start school again". They sound like any of the regular school kids, don't they? You know why they feel that way? See #1 above. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">3) Just because you homeschool in your PJs, doesn't mean you are lazy or unable to function in the "normal" world.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Forgive me for a second here, because I'm about to vent and the following is MY personal opinion. You don't have to agree with it; but you don't get to badger me about it either.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">On most days, the kids will do their work in their PJs. We are in our house and I don't want any more laundry than a household of 5 can produce. I don't make them get up and change clothes in order to do school work because we are NOT recreating school at home; we are homeschooling. There is a huge difference. If they want to change clothes, fine. If they don't, that's fine too. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My children function just fine in the "real world". The fact they do their work in their PJs doesn't hinder them from joining the "real" world. When it's time to join the rest of the human population, my kids know to dress appropriately. They understand that PJs are not acceptable attire for church, piano lessons, or museum trips. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am still trying to figure out why anyone would think the attire you wear while doing schoolwork makes you a "better functioning" human. I see plenty of people dressed in professional attire every day who can't function in normal society. I rest my case.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">4) How do I know what to teach, and how do I know my kids are learning?</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Well how did I know that they were learning while in regular school? Truthfully, some things they weren't learning. They memorized it for a test; and it was out of their mind once the test was done. I know they are learning because my kids have taught my husband and I more about animals in the last year than we even realized they knew; just from watching educational shows about it. They have read more encyclopedias than most people do in a lifetime. They have a need to tell me all about something they read in a book at the library; and they are excited about exploring the backyard and looking for "new" species of bugs. That's how I know they are learning.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As to what to teach, how did I know my kids were learning what they were supposed to learn while in school? I honestly didn't, I just trusted the school. Well, I follow the same guidelines the schools do to make sure they learn what they need. Simple as that.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">5) People from the "good school districts", who live in the nice subdivisions, homeschool too.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Most people know I live in a very crappy school district. My kids attended private school for a long time; and we now homeschool them. I hear often how I need to move to x,y,z town because the school is better; and you guessed it, the kids can go to school there.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Turns out there are families who live in the elite school districts who homeschool. So I am ok staying in the crappy district and homeschooling too.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">6) All kids are not created equal.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Well duh. Everyone knows that, right? I knew my kids were different from each other from day one. What I didn't realize was how differently they learn. They process information in a way unique to them. While textbooks and worksheets work for one, the other needs a more auditory/visual environment. I don't force them to sit still at a table while we do school. Yes there are things that have to be done while sitting down, like writing for example. But they don't sit through every single lesson. Some lessons are on the computer, science experiments may take you outside into the woods or into the kitchen. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">7) Dads can homeschool too</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here is a big one for us. When we made the decision to homeschool; the very first question people had was "are you going to quit your job?". Imagine the shock when I said no.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You don't have to stop working to homeschool, there are plenty of moms who work from home and outside the home who do it. I'm one of the lucky ones who has a husband who is willing to do most of the schooling while I'm in the office. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Most people seem shocked, some ask if I double check after him to make sure the kids are learning. When did we decide men can't teach? There are plenty of male teachers in schools right now; and all my professors in engineering school were males. So why the double standards?</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">8) Everyone is an expert about what you should be doing; specially those who have never homeschooled.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Everyone. I've been told what curriculum I should use, how I should teach; etc. By people who have never done it.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">9) Everyone has a horror story about someone who homeschooled and did a horrible job.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I don't know every homeschooling family in the world. The ones I know are committed to providing the best education for their kids. Period. I'm sure there are lazy people out there who use the term homeschooling to allow the kids to run wild while they watch soap operas. And if you come across one of them, report them. That's not homeschooling. I'm not entirely sure what's the point of those stories.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">10) I have my kids' best interest at heart.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Don't assume that I don't care about the future my kids will have because I homeschool. That's the reason I do it; because I want the best for them.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I know plenty of graduates from "good" schools who have done zero with their lives. Going to a regular school doesn't guarantee success in college or anywhere else. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Homeschooling is a journey. You will come across people who will support you and some who will do what they can to put you down. Just remind yourself of the reasons you made the decision and keep going. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Besides, why worry about what people say? You were made to be different. </span></span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5546196956221398487.post-75782813087904230942014-07-07T12:11:00.000-05:002014-07-07T12:11:06.701-05:004 miles? No problem. That one time I thought I was a Kenyan<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: blue;">Once upon a time, I was a runner. I laced up my shoes early every morning and logged in my miles; and I even trained for a marathon.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: blue;">Then last week I decided it was time to get back to racing and signed up for a 4 mile race. Piece of cake, right? I mean, I have logged up to 30+ miles per week; how hard can 4 miles be?</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: blue;">What I seemed to have forgotten is that I had not run in a YEAR. That's right. A WHOLE YEAR. And those 30+ miles per week were logged 7 years ago. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: blue;">Somewhere inside this crazy brain, I convinced myself that I was part Kenyan; and since my body has logged that many miles before, it would remember how to do 4 miles easily. Insane idea? Absolutely.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: blue;">I signed up for the race; and told myself even if I didn't finish, the fee went to a worthy cause. Besides getting on my elliptical machine at home; and taking the stairs at work; I have done no other form of exercise in a whole year. I know what you are thinking. She is either crazy; or she certifiably insane. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: blue;">I got up early on July 4th and headed out to meet destiny. I had one goal: to finish. I didn't care if I was slower than "a stampede of turtles running through peanut butter" (Gotta love that phrase!); I was determined to finish all 4 miles. Pace was simply not important, just survival.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: blue;">So the race began. First half mile and my legs were burning and my shins hurting. I know the feeling all too well since this is what it feels like every time I get on the elliptical so I pressed on. I got this, that's what I told myself.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: blue;">Then I came to the first hill of many and became certain I was either going to die; or going to hurt for a while. Who knew there were these many hills in our town? I certainly didn't.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: blue;">First mile was over; and I had gone uphill twice. Someone was playing a practical joke on me; this was supposed to be an easy 'get back to running' race! </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: blue;">Mile 2 took me to the lake in town. Nice setting; how can you not enjoy running around such a placid place? Let me tell you how: HILLS. All around the lake. At this point, I'm considering calling it quits, calling my husband to come get me, and doing the walk of shame out of there. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: blue;">This was the point where I began to talk to myself. Part was motivational, the other half was "what the heck were you thinking, you crazy woman" speech. I reminded myself of all things I had accomplished in life, including surviving twins; so this was a piece of cake, right?</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: blue;">The struggle continued in my head and soon I had made it to Mile 3. Can't quit now, I told myself. You just have one mile left. Quitting now would really be embarrassing. That was until I realized this last mile would be UPHILL. Who designed this course? Someone who was trying to make a quitter out of me? I was not quitting, I told myself. I was finishing even if they had to pick me off the ground at the finish line!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: blue;">Then I saw the most beautiful sight closer to the finish line, my husband and kids cheering me on. I smiled, almost cried, and kept on because I really couldn't quit now that they were watching, right?</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: blue;">In the end, I finished all 4 miles, and my time was better than I had anticipated. I crossed the finish line, found my car, and headed home before I got stiff and couldn't drive. ha!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: blue;">I learned a few lessons that day. Sometimes you can't prepare for what life brings. All you have is willpower; and the desire to overcome your obstacles. Keep your eyes on the prize and keep on going. If you are believer, as I am, then you pray for the endurance to finish the race laid out before you. As I did. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: blue;">Now I'm ready for the next race. Because apparently the insanity stayed, even after the sore muscles. I'm ready to run again!</span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5546196956221398487.post-79990461338471208982014-04-28T16:14:00.002-05:002014-04-28T16:14:19.045-05:00Mama said there be days like this...<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ever had one of those days when you feel you got it all under control : the laundry, housework, homeschool, work? Yeah, me either.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Just when I start to think "I've got this", that nagging voice creeps into my head and it says "no you don't!. You haven't (insert whatever I haven't done here).</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Today was a state holiday so I didn't have to work. I've been home playing catch up with the laundry all day. I've lost count of how many loads I've managed to fold and put away. The size of the mountain has finally been reduced to a molehill. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A few months ago, I started reading about Charlotte Mason and her philosophy on educating the kids. I hadn't implemented anything yet, because I've been preoccupied with "finishing" the year. I'm not sure why I'm doing this to myself, when we have decided to do year round homeschooling. Maybe because I'm trying to drive myself crazy.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Anyway, back to CM and her philosophies. I've also been looking for a writing curriculum/program to get my oldest to write. I looked into Brave Writer and have started reading <a href="http://www.bravewriter.com/program/home-study-courses/the-writers-jungle/" target="_blank">The Writer's Jungle</a> . Today we started incorporating some of the things in the first chapters. I really like this book, because it nurtures the kids' natural desire to tell their stories.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So we did copywork today. Basically the kids get to copy paragraphs from real books, not textbooks. One is copying form 2,000 leagues under the sea; the other is copying from Robinson Crusoe; and the oldest is doing copywork from my one of my favorite books To Kill a Mockingbird. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's a small step in the journey but it's a step. I was glad there was no complaining about doing this work! I'm going to assign reading from the same books; so they can start picking out the paragraph they want to copy.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We had plenty of whining when it was time for math. Why can't they do math without complaining? Must their torture their engineer mother like this? We got thru that with a few more gray hairs (mine) and tears (theirs).</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Then I sent them outside to observe nature and writer about it in their nature journal. I was pleasantly surprised to see how much they wanted to write. I think we will definitely do this as often as the weather permits.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In history we are learning about India and the beginning of Hinduism. I have to admit, this really brings me back to my childhood. My father had books about Hinduism around the house and I recall reading about it as a kid. We discussed their main gods; watched a video and then talked about Ganesha (god of success, destroyer of obstacles) which I have tattooed on my leg; and also about Indra (king of the gods) because my youngest sister bears its name. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Still need to finish the workboxes; still need to put together the boys' science lesson plans for next year; get the Spanish curriculum, etc, etc, etc. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thankful for a day at home to spend with the kids though; talking to them about some of the things I learned as kid.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5546196956221398487.post-23630481835744784282014-04-25T15:50:00.003-05:002014-04-25T15:51:18.485-05:00Chopsticks, Geocaching, Smithsonian Exhibit. Our week in review<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This was an unusual week for us. By us, I mean me.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Husband
just had a birthday last week. His birthday wish was a fishing trip,
so I took time off from work while he went fishing. Or as we called it
"teacher development days".</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I
had great plans for the two days I'd be home with the kids. We would
get up early, have a big breakfast, get our school work done. You know,
it all sounded possible and great. In theory. What I didn't
anticipate was that I would be the one dragging herself out of bed at
8:30am. Ooops. I guess my body was trying to tell me it is ok to sleep
passed my normal 5am wake up time.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">On
day one, there was lots of whining because, instead of going outside to
explore, they had to do English. Oh the horror! Are they always this
whiny? Husband says yes. I just don't know how he handles it daily,
because, after 30 minutes, I had enough of the complaining. I think we
are going to get a timer and see how that works. None of these
assignments they are working on should take longer than 30 minutes.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But we did manage to do a lot of things in the two days we were home alone. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Spent
time watching my karate kid do his thing in class. He is a natural.
I'm convinced he has some Korean blood in him (probably from my father's
side of the family) because he has taken to Han Mu Do as a fish to
water!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I
made some fried rice one night and the kids decided they wanted to
learn how to use chopsticks. So they pulled them out and gave it a
try. I tried to tell them it would be easier to learn if they had
something like veggies or meat to grab rather than rice but they wanted
to try. After a few minutes; everyone went back to the western
utensils. </span><br />
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<br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We
also started geocaching. Until recently, I hadn't heard about it. I
asked the kids if they wanted to give it a try, and off we went. I do
think we need to involve dad in our adventures, because some of the
caches may be in areas this city girl is hesitant to explore (ie any
area where a snake may be). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After piano lessons, we went to the Smithsonian Traveling exhibit </span><a href="http://www.museumonmainstreet.org/theWayWeWorked/" target="_blank">The way we worked</a>. <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It was very informative, and the kids were surprised to learn, once upon a time, kids their age actually had jobs! Talk about realizing how spoiled they truly are. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I
finally realized that creating my own homeschool planner probably
wasn't going to work for me. As much as I wanted to do it, I wasn't
really sure where to start, not to mention all that printing! So I
order the Simple Plan by Mardel. I'm excited to start using it and have
one location to keep up with all the kids are doing.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I also started working on their "workboxes". I didn't read the book. I found several ideas on Pinterest and decided to try and implement my own version. We really don't have room for individual boxes for each kid; so I just bought a big box with folders for each subject. I'm sure there will be tweaking involved to get them working for us, but isn't that what homeschooling is about? Adjusting and changing to suit our needs?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Planning
and choosing curriculum is quite challenging. I thought laying it all
out for my husband was the hardest part of homeschooling. I now
realize, after staying home for a couple of days, how difficult it can
be to implement it. </span><br />
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So, hats off to my husband, who stays home and tries to get the kids motivated every day to learn and do their work. Thank you!</span></b></i><br />
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> <a href="http://www.weirdunsocializedhomeschoolers.com/weekly-wrap-up/" target="new"><img alt="" size="300X91" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v506/kbmomto3/weeklywrapup300.png " /></a></span></b></i><br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5546196956221398487.post-4162394131878042032014-04-22T12:25:00.002-05:002014-04-22T16:05:43.878-05:00What I've learned this first year of homeschooling<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Our first official "year" of homeschooling is fast approaching. I'm happy to report we have all survived; both C and I are still fairly sane (most of the time) and the kids are thriving and learning.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What have I learn during this year of homeschooling?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1) <b>No two homeschooling families are alike</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We all have different reasons why we chose this path. There is no "one size fits all"; and that's the best part about it<b>.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>2) Even when the boys are hanging upside down on the couch, they are listening</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I used to believe, in order for learning to happen, kids needed to be sitting at a desk, attentively looking at the person teaching the lesson. A few months into our journey, I discovered this would never be the case at our house. Making them sit at the table for every single lesson was torture for them. Eventually we discovered they are actually listening when they are hanging upside, or playing with their cars on the floor. Their brains are like sponges and they are absorbing everything. And yes, I do ask questions just to make sure their brains haven't wander off into the land of gigantic spiders and Captain America. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>3) My house will never be clean again</b> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">At least not while all three of the kids are still under my roof. There will always be books out of place, pencils will mysteriously disappear (only to be found in the craziest of places); and the laundry will multiply in a matter of seconds.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">4) Learning just happens</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">While at the playground, one of the boys asked me if one of the ladders was shaped like the DNA strand. Did I mention this is the kid who likes to stand on his head? I was quite proud that my 7 year old announced to all the other parents he knew what DNA was and what it looked like. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b> </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>5) Kids want to learn</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We have been talking about the Greeks and the Romans in our history lessons. They were so eager to hear more about the Spartans, and the Gladiators. Even more so when I found a documentary about ancient Rome. Who knew kids would watch educational television without being forced?</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">6) Everyone has an opinion. Pay no attention</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Everyone has an opinion about homeschooling; specially those closest to you. Listen to no one. You are doing what's best for you and your family. You have to please no one. Yes, their comments (no matter how well intended) will sting but keep reminding yourself you are responsible for your kids; and you know what's best for them. </span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">7) There is no need to socialize the kids</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This was the #1 question we received: what about socialization. Unless you are a hermit, you will encounter more people than just those under your roof. My kids make friends at the playground, at church, at the grocery store; anywhere they encounter another human. Their social calendar is busier than mine.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">8) No curriculum will ever completely satisfy me</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Don't get me wrong, there are some great resources out there. But even the best ones are going to require some adaptation. My kids are unique (as are everyone else's) so I may have to get creative in order to get the information to them in a manner they can process it and absorb it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">9) <b> There are days you will wonder if your kids would be better served at school</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Those days will come and will take you by surprise. I have doubted my decision, stayed up at night feeling like the worst mother in the world. But after the clouds have passed, the sky is always brighter. The kids will sit on the couch happily reading an encyclopedia; or they will be outside looking for bugs they can later match with the pictures in their bug book, or my daughter will be in the kitchen happily cooking. Then I realize they are fine; and this is where we need to be. Right in this moment. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>10) My kids are amazing human beings</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I watched my kids smile at the homeless man we encountered last weekend. They were worried he had no food; and that no one was stopping. We gave him some money; and they asked that we put together more "care bags" so next time we could give more. Their hearts are big and filled with love and compassion for other humans, regardless of their stage in life. I have been able to see their caring hearts at work more often now that our life has slowed down some and we can spend more time doing the things that count. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Linked to <a href="http://www.weirdunsocializedhomeschoolers.com/" target="_blank">weirdunsocializedhomeschoolers</a></i></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5546196956221398487.post-87910660491128305652014-04-20T20:45:00.002-05:002014-04-20T20:45:28.286-05:00Living to tell about it, our week in review<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This was one busy week at our house. Actually it was close to a typical week. I guess all our weeks these days are busy.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hubby had a birthday at the beginning of the week. We went out to eat at a local steakhouse. This is a fairly new restaurant and we had no idea there was karaoke there; and on the night we decided to visit. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Towards the end of our meal, my daughter decided to serenade her dad by singing Happy Birthday to him in front of everyone! He was quite touched (I may have cried a little too ;-) ). It was the perfect ending to a birthday, if you asked me.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My favorite author died this week. Gabriel Garcia Marquez. I discovered his most famous book One Hundred Years of Solitude as a teenager. My sister had to read it for school and I decided I wanted to read it too. I was immediately drawn into the life of the Buendias and the town of Macondo. I was captivated by the sounds and hardships of the jungle, and the melancholy of the protagonists in the story. I was hooked for life. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I've read many more of his books; both in our native tongue; and also in English. I'm pretty certain I've read One Hundred Years at least five times in the span of my life in both languages. I am not sure what drew me to his work; but I know the world has lost a literary giant. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We had a chance to visit with some of our homeschool group. So thankful for these families! They have been so supportive of our journey; and they may not know how grateful I am for this group. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have narrowed down the curriculum we are using for my oldest who will be starting 7th grade. The more I research, the more confused I get with the multiple choices. I have finally decided to use R.E.A.L Science Odyssey Biology 2. I like the lab components; science without labs is just reading, in my opinion.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Also going to use Brave Writer to get her writing jump started again this year. I like what I've read so far, and I think it will work for both of us.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Spelling Power will be our spelling curriculum; gotta get those kids spelling right!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Still making decisions on other curriculum but we are getting there! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.weirdunsocializedhomeschoolers.com/weekly-wrap-up/" target="new"><img alt="" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v506/kbmomto3/weeklywrapup300.png " size="300X91" /></a></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5546196956221398487.post-49810839614172850042014-04-13T21:01:00.001-05:002014-04-13T21:03:42.435-05:00Of plants and worms?<span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Why are weekends never long enough? It seems time speeds up during the weekends and creeps along during the week. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Saturday the kids had a chance to help their uncle K build a swing set. They love visiting because he lets them help out in whatever project he is working on around the house. They had shovels, and drills and left numerous holes in my sister's yard, much to their delight (and her horror!). They dug for worms, they made mud; and learn how to build something. Who said learning only happens inside?</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">They now have a new project at home. Mimi has given each of them a potted plant to take care of. I guess I should confess I do not have a green thumb. Many of the women in my family (abuela, mom, sisters) have been blessed with the ability to grow anything. A plant may be brown and almost dead and these women will resuscitate it and bring it back to life! I, on the other hand, have been known for killing a cactus (or two) in my life. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So the kids have to depend on my mom to learn all about taking care of plants. She gave each of them plant they are to take care of from now on. Let's hope their thumbs are greener than mine! They are so excited to watch these plants grow and I'm excited for them. What better way to learn about plants, photosynthesis, etc? I can't think of one.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We have set the plants by the window, on a bench my uncle built for me when I was 3 years old. This bench has traveled thousand miles or more to be here today. For many years, Abuelo (my mom's dad) kept it at his house, while my family moved to two different countries. A few years back, before he passed, he sent it to me. He said I should have it so one day I could pass it on the kids. It holds such a special place in my heart. It ties me to my childhood, to my roots back in Panama, to my grandfather, and my uncle and all those who had such an important place in my life as a kid.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Now the kids get to use to watch their plants grown. I am sure Abuelo is smiling down on them. </span></span><br />
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