Ups, downs, ups, more downs...

But, we've ended the school week on a high note!! 

This week, we're straying a bit from the lesson plans as far as handwriting goes.  We've been many lessons behind the rest of the curriculum because cursive is new to Drew and, knowing what a perfectionist he is, we're taking our time.  We got to the point where there is a test to do, and I've put the brakes on.  We're going back and just practicing everything we've learned so far for a few more days.  I love the flexibility of homeschooling!!

The boys are getting lessons on stink bugs.   They spot them before I do now, and help me get them odor-free out of the house.  I'm looking forward to a frost that will send them into permanent hiding so I can walk out my door without first having to flick 20 or so off the screen.

I'm still trying to find a groove with Ben.  He desperately wants to do school, but nothing I have for him works.  I'm open to suggestions!!  I'm not making a big deal out of school this year for him though.  He's still a young 4, and I know he's very smart.  He knows all his letters & their sounds, numbers, can read me price tags in the grocery store, tell time correctly from a digital clock (unlike Drew at this age who use to say 1-1-4-7 or 7-4-1-1 for 11:47), and does well with his shapes.  He's never done much for drawing/coloring though, so we're working instead on those skills.  I can't expect him to write letters if he isn't even very good at controlling a pencil in general.  He loves puzzles, mazes, and flashcards, so we do a lot of those.

This ends 4 weeks of homeschooling.  It's been alot of fun!  There have been many challenges, like a teething baby, and a perfectionist 1st grader...but the rewards of having my boys all home with me far outweigh them.  I wonder why I ever sent Drew to school at all.  I'm seeing amazing things come from him.  His heart makes mine happy.  The great things he and Ben come up with to do each day.  The content feeling Sam has that Drew is here each and every day.  It's all worth it.

And hey, NOT getting up and out the door for a bus at 8am?  TOTALLY worth it!! 

Drew's Baptism!!

He had such a great time!!   We're so proud of him, and he was just thrilled that he had this opportunity.   I've been trying to post the video, but Blogger is giving me issues.  Here's some pics instead.  Video is on my facebook.



With our pastor, Dick Wright



"Pastor Poppy sure is talking alot today..."

Swimming to get used to the COLD water!!

Talking with Pastor about believing in Jesus

His first dunk was on his own...tired of waiting, he dunked himself a few times!

Getting ready to officially be baptised...

It's Pastor's turn to dunk him!

And here's my boy.  Publically stating he loves Jesus.  Watch out world...

Some things just aren't taught in the classroom

Tomorrow is a day that will be etched in my mind forever.  I'm sure of it. 

You see, last Saturday as I drove home from t-ball with my boys, Drew asked about baptism.  What is it.  Why do people do it.  He thought a few minutes, then said "I'm supposed to do that mom.  It's important since I believe in Jesus that I do it."  Warmed my heart.  After a few days of waiting and waiting to hear from our pastor about what the decision was on baptising him with the adults this weekend, I finally heard on Thursday that yes, they'll do it.  Drew will just have to sit through the children's baptism class in the Spring. 

But it's my pure joy to know that my children are starting now, starting young, loving and walking with the Lord.  It's amazing to me to watch their pure, innocent faith.  When Aaron asked Drew why he believes in Jesus, part of his response was "He hears my prayers."  When further asked what about when God doesn't immediately answer those prayers, Drew said "I guess I'm just done for if he's not hearing and answering me Dad!"  Aaron told him that sometimes God's timing isn't our timing, and we just need to wait and Drew said "So, it's like waiting to save up enough for a DS, or for the next vacation, or when you guys tell me that yes, I can do something, but it has to wait until next week....sometimes for the good stuff, we have to give God time."  His faith is sweet and childlike, yet he's showing such a great understanding.  Aaron was so moved by their conversation, by the depth that Drew was able to talk about things like salvation, the symbolism of baptism ("So, like Jesus died and rose from the dead, when I'm baptised, it's like I'm being born again!"), and the reasons he believes.  Ben sits on his swings and has full out conversations with God and will look at you like you're eavesdropping on a private conversation.  He wants to be baptised too (because, mom, I believe the same Drew does, I should do this too!), but I think we'll wait for him to have a little more concrete understanding.  Or maybe not.  I wouldn't want to be one accused of keeping any little ones from doing what they feel is right before Jesus.

But watch out...my sweet, faithful Drew is full of a fire & brimstone message.  We're working on him also sharing LOVE.

I'm learning a lot from my boys.  Pure, innocent faith.  If only we all came like the children...

So this is what happens...

You know, when the teacher gets sick?  Ugh...had I gotten lesson plans prepared completely before getting sick, our "substitute Mr. Dad"  could have easily jumped in, but instead the kids got a lesson in keeping the house running while mom is passed out in bed.

The good thing is that we didn't miss much.  We kind of glossed over stuff on Monday, completely skipped yesterday, and made it through today stumbling.  Drew has a little bit of work to do on his own tomorrow before we start our day officially, and we'll be caught up.  I'm hoping one more night of good solid sleep will knock whatever this crazy sinus/fever/exhausted thing I've got right out of me. 

Anyone have good tips on helping a kid write cursive b?  He can do l, so how hard could it be to add a little hook on the end?  But he's struggling, doesn't get it, and certainly doesn't like to make it connect to another letter.  He's willing to keep trying though, and that's the good part. 

Me, NyQuil, and my pillow...take 2.  Hopefully, the last time.

Making a believer out of me

Last year, as I was thinking about homeschooling, a friend talked to me about the natural pecking order in a family and how putting kids all in a class together with others their same age disrupted that.  As I observed my boys more during the day while Drew was gone for kindergarten and when he got home, I realized how this was showing in our family.  Ben happily played the oldest all day long.  When he woke from his afternoon nap though, Drew would be home and fully taking back his status as the oldest.  They would fight.  For a few hours.  They fought through a big chunk of the summer.  But now, just 2 weeks into school, and 3 weeks since our "normal" schedule started up, my boys are back to where they were before Drew ever left home for school.  They play well together.  The engage each other.  Sure, they fight sometimes.  All siblings do.  But order is restored, and they are back to loving on each other, respecting each other, and having a great time.  Mom and Dad don't have to intervene much at all. 

Just another way God is showing me we made the right choice for our family. 

Loving our Thursday

To completely make up for our horrible Wednesday, we are just blessed with our time together today.

1. Everyone slept in.  Even mom.  Ahh...
2. I had 30 minutes of snuggles with all the boys watching VeggieTales all about LOVE!
3. The first 3/4 of our lessons went smoothly.
4. I declared recess, because, well, who wants to waste a day like this inside??  RUN BOYS RUN!!!!
5. My 6 1/2 year old is devouring his lunch and asking for more.  It's rare, and I love these days.
6. I turned my doubting neighbor, who has told me that my boys belong in school with a "real teacher", into a believer.  The boys invited her to our classroom and showed her their books and all that they've learned already this year.  She said "I had no idea it would be this great!!  Wow, what a wonderful setup you have for these boys!"

And folks, it's only 12:30.  We still have a bit more school and nap/rest time to do, but just our morning alone makes me think this is going to continue being a wonderful day.  The Lord's been good to me.  :-)

Tuesday mornings...

Tuesday mornings are my MOPS morning.  Did I mention that along with our homeschool journey I'm also the coordinator for our local MOPS group?  I like to keep things lively, you know?

Well, anyhow, Aaron will be teaching on Tuesday mornings now.  It keeps him involved, and the boys get a break from the "really tough teacher mom."  Yesterday was the first day Aaron was with them, and after Drew repeatedly called him "mom", he wrote this on the board:

They had great fun calling him Mr. Dad all day after that.