Pictures

Here's our current layout.

Our little classroom

Working hard

Date and weather chart

Everyone at their desks, ready to learn!!

Having our classroom in the playroom makes it really easy for Sam to stay occupied, and for quick breaks as we need them.  Sometimes they just need to go play basketball for a bit, or we need to move over to the rug for some busy hands learning time.

And for some just plain silly time too....

Yeah, I'm just cool like that Mom...

Told you...check out my throw!!

Patience?

So, if anyone has any to spare, send it my way.

Someone told me today that they just don't have the patience to homeschool their kids.  I'm pretty sure if you asked homeschooling moms, most would say they don't either.  But, thankfully, especially today, God is providing exactly what I need exactly when I need it.  It's cloudy outside, things got off to a rough, fighting between brothers kind of start.  They desperately want to have school time but can't seem to get along.  A few breaks, including one in bed, seems to have improved things.  We're in the midst of a snack break.  I totally believe that low blood sugar in boys is detrimental to the learning process.  We have our best times so far immediately after breakfast and again immediately after a snack.  And if that doesn't work, we run in circles or play some basketball.  Math today was done while building.  They calmly answered everything right, while their hands were busy building.  True boys.  Hands kept busy means their minds can really focus. 

Start the day with recess

This morning, I set our timer for 40 minutes and told the boys "By the time this goes off, I want you ready to start school.  Be downstairs ready for me."  One by one, we trickled outside and got some serious running time done playing with our dog, swinging, chasing each other around.  It was a great way to start our day before the heat and humidity kick in!!! 

2 days down...

We officially started on Wednesday, September 1. The first day went well. The boys were excited, and Sam got some undivided Daddy time. I'll admit that I pushed through 2 lessons on our first day because 1) we would have been done in 30 minutes otherwise, and 2)I had really intended to start on Tuesday. But the boys knew nothing different anyhow. Ben's lessons for Abeka's K4 don't really start until day 6, so right now he's learning along with Drew. It's good though, because we're reviewing letter sounds for phonics, basic letter writing, and math only up to 10 (Drew is BORED with that!!). Next week the more challenging stuff begins, and they'll each be doing their own books.

Today was our first day doing school without Aaron home. It was also his first day on day shift in a few months, so the boys were completely out of sorts. We had a few restarts to the day because attitude tune-ups were needed. But once we got in our groove, it was smooth sailing. Until we were done, anyhow. The second we were done, Ben threw a fit, Drew threw a fit, Ben punched Sam, Sam punched Ben....and the drama led everyone to their beds for a 15 minute rest. And from the sounds coming from the playroom, lunch is desperately needed soon! Boys and low blood sugar are a bad combination.

I'm having fun with it all so far. I love having all my boys here with me every day. I don't regret not putting Drew on the bus at 8am to have him returned to me at 4:30 in the afternoon. Is it really necessary for him to be separated from us that long every day? I don't think so. Not yet. At 6, I feel it's best for him to be right here where God put him in the first place. I can reach him where he's at. If he's bored, we can move along faster. If he needs some more time, we can stick with it as long as he needs. His learning is no longer restricted by 20 of his peers. The sky is the limit for my boys, and I'm sure God will provide us the ladder to get them there.

Nearly 2 years is a good time...

to make a fresh start.

It's been a long time since I used my blog, but I'd like to chronicle our first year of homeschooling so I can look back and see where God has taken us. This year, we'll have Drew doing mostly 1st grade work, Ben starting preschool, and Sam hopefully playing along nicely.

Our journey begins fairly cheaply. We were generously given so much curriculum and resources. So much so, that I sought out a pantry-style cabinet. And Freecycle delivered!! It was fabulous to pray for that cabinet and within a day one was posted and I got it. I got the desks for Drew and Ben 2 years ago, before we even were certain we would one day homeschool. $5 got us 2 desks and chairs. I recently got a smaller desk that is the perfect size for Sam for free as well, and now all 3 are lined up in our classroom ready to go!!

Our classroom is fairly simple. I took about 1/3 of our playroom, blocked it off a bit, and set everything up there. Pictures will come once the play side is re-organized and clean! We got a huge whiteboard from the church tag sale. We'll be using Abeka for our curriculum for the most part, with some other stuff thrown in as needed. Aaron's work schedule really works well for us too. Such benefits of a 4 on/3 off/3 on/4 off schedule!!

I'd be lying if I said I wasn't nervous. But when Ben eagerly sat down at his desk and begged me to start school with him today, I just couldn't resist. We did a few fun things, and it just all flowed together. Sam naturally wants to be a part of everything we do, so I'll have to be sure I have "work" for him to do at his little desk. That was started tonight as well, when Harris Teeter had Crayola's Tadoodles on clearance! Crayons and markers, in a little boat carry case that will fit perfectly on his desk. I'll just have to keep some paper there for him. He's really interested in the flashcards, trying to learn new words. Who knows, maybe school this year will be what finally gets him talking!!

Announcing the arrival of....

Samuel Joseph Ludwig!!!

He was born at 11:41 this morning, weighing 9lbs 10oz and 21 1/2" long. He's beautiful (says biased mommy), looking just like his brothers. This c-section was fabulous, and certainly the easiest I ever experienced. Sam is doing great.

We're in!!

Ahh, the worst of the move is over. There is still stuff at the old house, but not much. Hopefully we'll get it all this weekend and be completely done there.

12 days and counting til we meet our new baby!!