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

Music in May

I am rewinding back to May so bare with me as I play a little game of catch up.  It doesn't feel right to move too far forward without it.  

How could I skip over this face?!

Jake performed in his second violin concert and he was awesome!  His piece was Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, but instead of playing each note straight, each note was played with the rhythm "Mississippi Hot Dog."  

His bows are almost my favorite part...

Such focus!

His pitch was perfect and he glows on stage.   But my proudest moment was when he had a little hiccup and he just kept right on playing.  I know there are days when he doesn't want to practice, but there is no doubt that the performing part makes it worth it.  He may look like his Daddy, but when he is on stage he is all mine!   

And while it might be too early to tell, I think James might have the bug too.  He couldn't wait to join his brother on stage after the concert!

Needless to say, I was one proud Mama!  I hope that in the years to come, his love for music and performing will only continue to grow, that he will learn the value of practice and hard work, and most importantly, that he will find joy in sharing his time and talents with others.

Moments like these are magic!

Getting back to "normal"...whatever that means

This is the third time is two weeks, i have sat down ready and determined to update this little online journal of mine.  And each time, I write a few paragraphs, and then...nothing...  I don't know what is going on!  So if this is the worst blog I have ever written, I am sorry.  But you've got to start (or restart for the third time) somewhere, right?

Our lives have been a nice balance of routine with some very exciting and special moments mixed in.  Our routine consists of scripture study, homeschool, violin (for Jake), trips to the pool, play dates with friends, and lots and lots of cars, Lego's, and drawing (I will try expand on some of this in later posts)!

One of  my greatest hopes for our boys is that when they will look back on their childhoods they will  remember the days where they were just free to be kids.

I know that the world pushes children to grow up so quickly, but in our home, I would like to let them take the lead on how long they should be "little."

I treasure their innocence and hope that we can protect it and learn from it in the years to come.  Sometimes I forget that we are not just put into families to teach our children, we are also blessed and expected to learn from them.  And I want my boys to know how grateful I am for all the things they teach me each day.

As comfortable as I get in the predicable,  I am also grateful for those moments when things get all shaken up.  One of my favorite "surprises" of this year, was Arthur coming home early!

Army records may show that he come home because he needed medical treatment for gastrointestinal issues (not too shocking if you saw that they have to eat over there), but Jake and I know that Daddy coming home early was the answer to a very sincere birthday wish (more of a birthday prayer really).  And even with all the delays, Daddy was here just in time to watch our 5 year old blow out the candles on his red velvet cake at his Grandparents house.  I don't know, if their has ever been a happier birthday boy.

It didn't take long for my boys (big and small) to find their own routine.  This time it looks a little different than it had before Arthur left, because the baby he left is now a "big boy."

James really grew up over the seven months that Arthur was away, and long gone are the days where he would stay home to snuggle with Mommy while Daddy and Jake set out on an adventure.
Now James is the first one out the door for Saturday morning donut stops and fishing trips, but of course, not with out grabbing his "Bass Pro Shops hat" first.

He is also the one to run and get the "hit ball" (aka football) at the first signs of an evening Daddy son wresting match.

While my boys were amazing little troupers throughout this first deployment, I couldn't help but notice how much little boys need their daddies.  I am good for lots of things, but I cannot replace wild rides in an Argo, lessons about fishing lures, and "hit ball" games in the living room.

We are so blessed to have Arthur home safe and sound.  He teaches them all the things a boy should know, but I also know that our boys are learning the things a good man needs to know just through the life they are seeing their father live.

As you can probably guess, we weren't the only ones glad to have Arthur home safe and sound.  The wheels of Arthur's plane had barely hit the ground, before his mom and dad were planning a trip out to see us.  I can't even imagine, how much Maria needed to see her son.  If I have learned one thing since having children of my own, it is that no matter how old your children get they are still your babies.  So I am glad they were able to get out here quickly.  However, they brought with them their own surprises. Arthur's Aunt Alicia, Uncle Manuel, and even his Welita came too!

It was a great weekend, full of so much laughter, love, and of course, unbelievable food!  I think Arthur felt a little overwhelmed by the love and sacrifice, especially by his Welita, to make that long trip to see him.

PS As I was looking through pictures for the post, I was reminded how much as happened in the last 5 months...guess I have some work to do.  But for now, I will just say that I am so happy to have us all back together.  I am so blessed!

Extra Pieces

So far 2013 has not been easy on us.  The first obvious issue, Arthur is still gone.  While we have adjusted to being without him, it makes everyday a little harder.  There isn't a day that goes by, when I don't think, at least a thousand times, how much I wish he were here.  I feel like I am always operating at maximum capacity and just one extra thing...even a little one, is too much.  This is a start of a blog post I wrote just days into the new year...I am sure you can all relate.

"I woke up the other night to my sick and feverish James demanding something about "puzzle pieces."  He of course was somewhere between sleep and delirious, but as I snuggled him back to sleep, I couldn't help think it was weird that I had just, seconds before, been having my own very vivid dream about puzzle pieces.

It doesn't take someone skilled in dream symbolism to interpret this one.  It was pretty literal.  Each piece in the puzzle represent parts of my day to day life...little things like house hold chores, important things like family prayer and scripture study, new ideas for homeschool, wanting to write a weekly blog, excersize, visiting teaching...all good things right?

But as I looked at the partly completed puzzle and struggled to find where the rest of the pieces could go, I rememer feeling frusterated because I felt like if I could only put them together in the "right way" then surely all the pieces would fit.  They had too, right?"

Since writing this my puzzle has gotten even more messy...

We rang in the new year with fevers, coughs, and sleepless nights.  But with the help of steamy showers, at home breathing treatments, and humidifiers humming in the dark, we survived.  Now we were healthy, excited and ready to officially start our unofficial new homeschool year, right?

SIKE!

Life had other ideas, as it usually does.  A family emergency had me and the boys on a plane to California almost before I could say the word "normal," not to mention pack (pulling an all nighter is not just for procrastinating college students...nice to know those "skills" still come in handy).  So we spent the second half of January with family.  While our reason for being there was not a fun one, the boys enjoy any excuse to be spoiled rotten spend time with their Ama and Apa.  They even got some swimming lessons in with their Uncle Ethan.

But again it was definitely not the grand "start," to this new year, that I keep imagining.

We got home last week, and once again, I had big plans to jump right into things.  But I couldn't (at least not at the level I wanted).  I was physically, emotionally and spiritually spent.  As I struggled to move forward, I mentally berated myself for my short comings and felt guilty for dropping the ball.  It is strange how in one's low moments, all our insecurities creep in...even the old ones we thought we had outgrown.  And then, to top it off, James spiked a fever again (most likely some friendly virus how came home with us from the airplane) and spent the second half of the week feeling crummy.

But as I sank into that dark place where self pity and self criticizing meet, I couldn't help but remember the words of a blessing I received, several weeks back, when I was called to be the 2nd councilor in the Primary.  "Your Heavenly Father loves you," was repeated several times throughout this beautiful prayer.  Along with council about how I need to continue striving to follow the commandments and that if I do, I will be blessed and I will have the righteous desires of my heart.

I remember in that moment, as the tears streamed down my face, how much I needed to hear those words.  What I hadn't realized is how much I was going to need to remember those words.  The Lord knew what I did not, things we going to get harder.  And it is in these hard times, when the problems seem too big and the weight is just too much, it is in those moments that I always seem to forget to turn to the one place I need most.  In the past, I have often acted like a rebellious teen, getting angry, defiant, self absorbed.  I am trying to do things different this time, trying to turn to my Heavenly Father and trust in him guide me through it.  I am far from perfect at it, but I can't really expect my children to really learn things that I don't practice.  So I am doing my best, and counting on the Lord to make up the difference.  And I am finding that this time he is doing it with the help of some pretty incredible friends.  Friends who I am beyond blessed to have in my life.

This recent "aha" moment and new found gratitude (that I occurred during my therapeutic kitchen painting project), helped to motivate me and put some of the wind back in my sails.

My internal voice became a little kinder and much more positive.  "Less that three months till Arthur gets back, YES! we can do this!" I told myself.  Saturday I got the house all clean, Saturday night I got our homeschool planned and ready for the upcoming week, and I was so excited to go to church on Sunday I even had the kids clothes picked out.  This was going to be the start I had been waiting for all year...I could feel it.  That is, until minutes before my alarm sounded, Jake woke up...with the stomach flu.

Oh well...

Not just another day

Having a deployed spouse around the holidays gets a big reaction out of most people.  The most frequent question is whether or not Arthur will be home for the holidays.  And after giving me "that face" (you army wives know the one) or patting my children on the heads, they ask how we are handling "it" and then comment on how difficult it must be to celebrate alone.  I even had one woman say that we should just pretend that Christmas is just another day.  So after having many variations of this same conversation leading up to Christmas, I have over analyzed thought about how our family is "handling" our Christmas without Daddy here.

There is no way around it, having Daddy gone is hard...really hard.  As amazing as skype and magic jack are, nothing can substitute having the person you love right by your side.  But I have two little boys who deserve their Christmas to be special.  Their childhood is too short for me to pout (too much) about doing it solo.  So I am doing my best.  And as my mother keeps reminding me, that is call I can do

So Christmas is on, it will not just be another day nor was December just another month.  Our decorations are up (most of them), we have a beautiful tree that Jake carefully selected at Lowe's (it is probably the prettiest tree we have ever had), and Christmas music fills are home.  Stocking are hung (and monogrammed!), and thanks to Aunt Robyn's help, Santa will be be coming.

Unfortunately though, Santa threats don't really work on Jake.  I learned this the first time I tried to play that card back in November.  My explanation that Santa brings coal instead of presents to boys who are unkind to their brothers enlisted none of the fear or worry it had on me as a child.  Instead he responded with, "If Santa brings me coal, I'll just use it to help Daddy with the barbecue."  Well, I guess that is one way to turn lemons into lemonade, or in this case coal into pulled pork sandwiches.

James' enthusiasm and silly sweetness has definitely helped to keep this season bright.  He noticed every new decoration and ornament as I took them out, and wanted to touch and ask about each one.  And of course, my glass nativity display is like a magnet to his chubby little hands.  The presents under the tree, especially the ones that he knows belongs to him, also call to him each day.  Jake and I have to watch James carefully because, after this past birthday, this boy understands that exciting things are hidden beneath that colorful wrapping paper.  When we catch him trying to sneak away with his gifts he innocently states, "Present...for Christmas," and turns around and places it back under the tree.

Today he started singing Jingle Bells in sacrament meeting (loudly, clearly, complete with the "Hey!") He has learned many of the Christmas carols this year as we have driven around different neighborhoods to look at Christmas lights.  "Christmas Lights!  I like them!" he shouts with excitement as we pass the beautiful displays.  The wonder of children, especially at Christmas, is contagious.  You can almost not help but feel the magic with them.

However, I have also had to let a lot of things go.  For example, ginger bread houses just didn't happen this year.  The advent calender also didn't make the cut.  Yes, every time I get on facebook and see the cute things my friends have done with their kids, I feel the Mommy gilt begin to settle in.  And don't even get me started on pinterest...we are on a break until at least February.   I am trying to be okay with the fact that I can't do everything.  And honestly, maybe it a blessing because as some of the extra stuff has melted away, we have been left with what was at the center of this holiday in the first place...the Birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

The struggle and the challenges of having Arthur away, have made us all focus even more deeply on why we celebrate this day in the first place.  As Jake explained to me at church, several weeks ago, "It not the presents we should be excited about.  We should be excited because it is Jesus' Birthday."  He is exactly right.  No matter what we are going through in our lives we all have reason to celebrate the birth of our Redeemer.  So we are not pretending it is just another day.  Instead the boys and I have been focusing on Christ.  We have been learning about who he is, and why our Heavenly Father sent his beloved son to this earth.  When we know who Christ is and what is mission was, we can't help but feel like celebrating.

Last week at family home evening, as we discussed Christ love for them, Jake looked up from coloring his picture of Christ with the children and reverently said, "I feel like crying."  I explained to him that "feeling" was the Holy Ghost helping him know that the things Mommy was telling him were true.  And then just a few minutes later James looked down at his pictures and exclaimed, "Jesus loves ME!"

I am so grateful to know that He lives, and to be able to share with my children that the greatest gift any of us will ever receive has already been given. Christ suffered and died that we may find peace and joy in this life and so we can have eternal life with him and our Father in Heaven in the next one.

Dear Daddy...

Twinkling lights, Christmas jammies, Daddy dolls, and lots of letters to our brave soldier...

Merry Christmas

2012!