That's A Homeschool Wrap!

This year has been a incredible homeschool journey for our family!  I can't believe how much we have learned and grown...me, probably, more than anyone else!  So before 2013 comes to a close, I want to share some of the milestones, discoveries, and lessons we have experienced this year.

1) One of our biggest accomplishments was our study of the Old Testament.  We started out using the LDS Old Testament reader and Discover the Scriptures curriculum.  But within several months, I realized that we all wanted a little more.  So after a visit to California, Grandpa Dave sent us home with his childhood Bible stories, and an illustrated children's Bible what includes lot of fun historical facts and picture of artifacts.  Throughout the year Jake has memorized nearly 20 scriptures (James became familiar with quite a few too), became better acquainted with prophets of old, and learned how these ancient stories can directly help us in our lives today.

2) Jacob completed Saxon's Kindergarten and First Grade math curriculum, and is nearly half way through the Second Grade program.  It is amazing how much he has learned this year!  He is counting money (pennies, dimes, and nickels), learning to tell time, measuring, adding, and subtracting.

3) James started his math this year too.  We did most of the things that I did with Jake several years ago.  It is something of a Montessori hands on approach to begin identifying numbers and to understand the quantity they represent.  James caught on quickly and enjoyed playing with the rocks  and counting bears, but then about four months ago, he decided he was ready for something more like his brother was doing.  So now he is learning to write the numbers 1-10, he can count till 20 (although it sometimes gets a little muddled around "firteen"), he can complete AB patterns, and he is a pro with shapes and sizes.

4) Jacob has learned to READ!  I tried several methods, and most of them left us both feeling frustrated and unmotivated.  I started to think that maybe he just wasn't ready and that I was pushing to hard, but after some research (and a lot of prayer), I decided to give Hooked on Phonics a try.  We started with the Kindergarten program, and immediately I could see it working.  We supplement by using the Explode the Code workbooks which him a chance to put the rules he was learning into action.  

And over the last few months we have brought in weekly spelling words so that he can get some of those pesky "sight" words under his belt.  We are about half way through the 2nd grade program, and I am sad that it is the last one in the set.

5) Guess who decided he needed his own Hooked on Phonics?  You guessed it!  James, who had already been working on identifying and writing his letters this year, started the preschool Hooked on Phonics a few months ago.  We are moving slowly through the program because I really want to make sure that he connecting each letter with its sound.  But I don't think it will take too long because this boy really wants to learn to read!  He actually started crying at church a few weeks ago because he was frustrated that he couldn't read the hymn.

While I think it is wonderful that he is so eager to learn, I am not too eager for him to stop using words like "caterpittle" and "popporn"or telling me how "busy" he is after he spins in circles.  So don't judge me when I help him learn what each letter says, but I don't correct him when he tells me that he saved my hair tie from "going down the dream" or when he asks "where the water castle (aka fountain) is."  And the other day, I just smiled when he proudly announced, "I know where the alligator is!" as he lead the way to elevator.  I am a huge faun of learning, but I am also just as passionate about letting them stay little.

If I have learned one thing this year, it is how much I need to learn!  Homeschooling has not only helped me get to know my boys' strength and weaknesses, but it has really highlighted my own.  Talk about humbling!  For example, I am not as patient as I use to considered myself to be.  After teaching swimming for over a decade, I once might have listed patience as one of my strengths...and then I had my own children.  It is funny how the people you love like no one else, are also the ones who can push your buttons like no one else.  I realized that for my sake and for the happiness of my family, I needed to follow the council found in the Book of Ether:  And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them. (Ether 12:27)  So, through lots of prayer, scripture study, and some amazing conference talks...I am making progress.   I have learned that patience really is the foundation for a Christ like life, but the trick is, acquiring patience takes patience...I am sure it will be something I will strive and work for each day.  

It is difficult to say who is benefiting the most from homeschool, but it is my humble prayer that we are all growing together as a family.  And that as we learn, each day, we are not only acquiring knowledge but wisdom through the Lord.

Day Dreaming of Destin

When you talk to other families about Fort Rucker, nearly everyone has the same list of cons: it is too hot, too humid, there into a whole lot to do, the food isn't great, and of course the BUGS!  But there is one pro, that has a way of nearly overcoming all the negatives...the beach, more specifically for us, Destin!

It is just amazing!  Soft white sand, warm blue-green water, and the hot Florida sun...it doesn't get any better!  So here are my gorgeous boys on this gorgeous day (I even pulled out the good camera for this one :)).

See you next summer Destin!

A Sweet Trip Back to Alabama

Back in August we decided to use Arthur's training at Fort Rucker to its fullest potential, and the boys and I drove down to join him so we could have a little family vacation.  I was actually surprised by how nostalgic I got over Lower Alabama.  I guess even with all the heat, humidity, and gnats trying to get in your eyes, ears, nose and mouth, our family made some wonderful memories there.  And how could I not love the place where our James was born?

The morning the boys and I made our trip down, was actually the same day that school started here.  And as I heard the school bus pull up, I felt at peace to be packing the car and not Jake's backpack, and even more grateful to be loading him up for a family vacation rather than onto the school bus.  And as we hit the road and I glanced in my rear view mirror, I knew that Jake was right were he was meant to be...with us.

The boys were awesome on the road.  I couldn't have asked for better traveling buddies.  Hard to believe that that these are the same boys who use to scream, going around the block, as babies.  But between books, movies, rockin' out to the radio, and a stop and Chick fil-a, the six hours drive was smooth sailing.  

Once we arrived and had eaten dinner with Daddy at our favorite Mexican restaurant, it was not difficult to decide where to go next.  The park, of course!  This was our favorite place to go when we lived here.  Jake and I practically lived here when the weather was nice, and as we pulled into the parking lot, the memories flood my mind.  It surprised me, a little, when I realized just how much life we lived in less than two years.  As a looked around, I could almost see Jake on his little radio flier tricycle, James going down the slide with Arthur for the first time, and me talking with other amazing mommies we met while we were there...it really was a beautiful time.

Since Arthur was really there for a training, he had to spend his days in class.  So after enjoying our hotel breakfasts together, it was up to me to fill the days.  First stop...EASY...the Aviation Museum of course!

one of our trips from 2011

August 2013...Watch time fly and listen to a Mommy's heart break

Next stop...Milky Moo's (we may have made more than one stop there.  Daddy needed some ice cream too. :-))

This is what happens when you ask Jake to smile...

This is what happens when you ask Jamie to smile...

 Okay, we'll take it :-)

Unfortunately, this is were my trip photo documentation came to an end (besides the gorgeous day at the beach).  But documented or not, we had a great time!!  We went swimming, played at the splash pad, spent a day with some great friends, and even went to our old ward on Sunday!  With the way that I love nostalgia and trips down memory lane, this was an extra fun week for me.

A day in the life...the homeschool edition

Today at violin, Jake was excited to play a piece that he has been "practicing everyday!"  And true to Jacob form he began to "talk" Miss Robin through his morning routine so she could understand just where his violin practice fits into his day.  Listening to his got me thinking that I should record our little routine.  It may sound silly, but finding a routine that works and runs smoothly (more than half of the time) has been one of my biggest successes of 2013.

When we made the formal decision to do Jake's education at home, the importance and challenge of a routine/schedule was probably the thing I underestimated the most.  It may sound silly, but it can be quite the balancing act.  

Our mornings usually start with family prayer and Old Testament study.  We are using Discover the Scriptures, and we are all really enjoying it!  I think my favorite aspect of the program is all of the scriptures Jacob is memorizing.  We are often told, by our church leaders, the importance of knowing scriptures by heart, and I feel like this experience is helping the boys get an early start.

Abraham and Isaac

I am excited to continue using their material in the years to come.  But aside from anything else, I can definitely feel a difference in our mornings when it gets skipped over.  More than once I have found myself yelling lovingly beckoning my children back to the living room so we can restart our day the right way.

The Old Testament has lots of great art project opportunities!
The Garden of Eden - Jake 01/2013

The Creation (maybe day 1) - James 01/2013

A two year old Rainbow :-)

Noah and the Rainbow Promise!

It took a really long time (like over a year) to find a time and system for a successful and cooperative violin practice.  But right after breakfast and scriptures seems to be just the right time for Jake.  All of his songs and exercises are written on pieces of paper, which I mix up and place around the living room.  James likes helping with this part, and he has even gotten in the habit of getting Jake's violin out of the case for him (James can hardly wait till that violin is his).

I think the system works because it gives Jake a clear start and finish.  It also allows him to move at his own pace and he gets to refocus between each song as he relocates from paper to paper.  James and I grab pencils or pens (our bows) so we can jump in for the fun stuff at the end.  We all like to sing "Up Like a Rocket" together and make tiny finger circles for one another as we practice our bow control.  James is going to have one awesome bow hold when it is finally his turn!  Each day that this routine works, I feel like doing a little happy dance.

Next, we move on to math.  Jake is just about to complete the 1st grade year of Saxon Math, and I am so proud of him.  Math seems to come pretty naturally to him, especially counting money (I probably have my Dad, the accountant, to thank for that).  But too much new information at once overwhelms him and generally causes him to shut down, usually in the form of a melt down.

Jake thrives on success, and he is very much a perfectionist (I have no idea where he gets it :-)).  He is already use to things coming easily to him.  When I had a walking/talking 9 month old, I already knew one of his biggest challenges would be learning to work hard and persevere in situations or skills which do not come as naturally (part of the reason for the violin).  So we are working on it and the Saxon program is working well for us.  There is plenty of review which builds his confidence and helps him to feel successful, and then just a few problems with the new skill are given.  It seems to be a great formula for Jake.

James is also working on his math.  Right now we are using hands on Montessori methods as he learns to identify numbers and the quantities they represent.  His favorite is the number cards and the rocks.  I give him a number and he gives me the correct number of rocks.  He has numbers 0-4 down, but we still need to get 5 and 6 before we can keep adding on.  If only that pesky 5 didn't look so much like a 2. :-)

He also loves to play with the Geo boards, counting bears, and puzzles, but lets me honest, turning the linking cubes into shot guns and rifles is the best (should I be worried that he already includes the site...where do boys learn these things?!?)

By the end of math, the boys are usually ready for some unstructured time, and I usually try to get myself out of my pajamas (no one said that being a homeschool mom is glamorous).  But this may or may not happen depending on how many breakfasts the boys want on any given day.

The rest of the day is a little less scheduled.  When it feels like Jake needs to refocus, we will pull out Hooked on Phonics and Explode the Code.  He prefers the latter, but I think the Hooked on Phonics offers a more complete reading experience...so we do both.  He is working on the 1st grade program which focuses on blends.  It is fun to be a part of this huge milestone in his life.  Okay, trying to overcome the usual resistance isn't very fun, but when I hear him sounding out words on his own or when he tries to spell things out just because...now that is very fun!  And in the last few weeks we have started a weekly spelling list.  I think it will be a great way for him to get even more familiar with common site words and because he loves to write, it is a win win.

James hasn't shown a huge interest in phonics yet so I am not pushing it...he isn't even three, after all.  Instead we just read together and review his letters in his dinosaur alphabet book (one I paid the library handsomely for when I thought we had lost it).  More and more he asks to be read to, and I need to be better about carving out time in the day to do it.  We are great at night time storytime, but I really want to include it in our day as well.  The days fill up so fast, but I know that opportunities to snuggle and read together are precious and one of my goals is to make sure, that no matter what other things come up, (because as you mommies know, there is ALWAYS something) that he and I get that special time.

I apologize if this is the most boring blog you have ever read, but this is a time in our lives I never want to forget.  These boys are incredible, I feel that the opportunity to homeschool is allowing me to get to know them in ways I may have otherwise missed.  It is not always easy...to be honest, the opposite is generally the rule.  But I know that this is the right choice for our family, and through lots of trial and error, and even more prayer, I think we will make it!

*Note: Pictures range from Nov 2012 - now