Great day!

Today really has been one of the better days we have had. Everyone worked hard to get done and even had some play time thrown in..I truly LOVE LOVE the work boxes for Chloe. They are WONDERFUL!!

Today we did some sand art, played with money and took another trip to the park to do some reading and history. Here is to tomorrow!!

Worth it..

Days like today make schooling my kids at home worth it. All the kids were able to do some school outside today. Crazy that we can do this in the middle of January but got to love Texas!

Looking forward to many school days outside:)

Also wanted to add that the work boxes are working great with Chloe. Thankful that there is so much information out there to help us along in this journey.

Day #3 Tomorrow!

Is it Friday yet?? Mom here is just tired. As I am sure everyone else is.

Day one of Workboxes with Chloe went well. We only made it past box 6 of 10..bad huh? Today we did much better, we made it all the way to the last box. Chloe was very happy! Today she even skipped the "fun" box so she could move on. Wonder how long that will last.

I am researching Workboxes for the boys. Maybe not to the extent of the ones with Chloe but to try and add more "fun" things to their day. We shall see how that goes.

Tomorrow is day 3 and I am all set up and ready to go....will Chloe??


Box 1 Comprehension Worksheets
Box 2 A Beka Health
Box 3 Reader
Box 4 Pattern Blocks
Box 5 A Beka Math
Box 6 A Beka Spelling
Box 7 Art...A Beka, this is Joshua's book but should be able to work it for Chloe as well.
Box 8 Flashcards
Box 9 A Beka Phonics
Box 10 Journal

Workboxes!!

On Monday I am going to start the workbox system http://www.workboxsystem.com/ with Chloe. I pray that this will encourage more independent work and will make our school days run smoother. No longer should I hear, what is next? Am I done yet? I hope anyway:)

Chloe is really excited to start. We shall see how it goes. I have the boxes filled for our first day, and will make a list of what I would like to use the rest of the week, so filling the boxes at the end of each day will not take as long. I already have a lesson plan made out weekly it will just take some time filling in those extra slots with stuff to do. I hope to start using the stuff that just sits in the school closet untouched. So many times I think to bring something out, but I always put it off and then it never is brought out. This system will hold me accountable for making sure the boxes are all filled for the next day, and get me to get those forgotten items out.

Here is a run down of what I have...I am excited to think of different things to use each day and work this system for our needs.

#1 New Spelling List (Write Words 3 times each)
#2 Science With Mom
#3 Math Test
#4 Art: Latch Hook
#5 Flashcards with Mom
#6 Reader with Mom
#7 Language Sheets
#8 Phonics Charts with Mom
#9 Review of flashcards..LOVE these things!!
#10 Journal

Wish us luck!!

I am TRYING!!!

Little by little to make this journey fun. I am so not the craft/messy person that comes along with crafts..But I am trying! I told myself hey one a week is FINE right:) I will try hard to have them more often.

This week, Chloe has been learning about the parts of plants...So we went to the store and got a few things for the kids to plant some seeds, lets hope they grow! Chloe had a BLAST!!!

I am hoping to pick up the boxes to start getting them ready to do the work box system with Chloe. I really think this system will get me using the things I have been wanting to but keep putting them off. I so want her to have fun...I need to see about doing something like it with Joshua (4th) but it is hard. Today I had him use Spelling City with his Spelling words and he really liked it..it was DIFFERENT!

Trying to come up with different things is a job in itself but will be worth it, I really think it will make the days run better. We can hope..

2010!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

WOW how in the world can it already be a new year? The time just slips by I guess when you are having fun. Before I know it Chloe will be turning 7, and the boys will be 10 & 14! I really don't know how this has happened.

The kids are always telling me...mom you ALWAYS talk about school. Yes I do, I truly can not help it. It is an addiction I think. I so want to be doing what is right for them and I can only hope I am doing it right.

Hard to believe that we are going into our 5th month of school in our 1st year of homeschooling. We have MADE IT! We might not be as far along in the books as we should but hey that is OK! At least that is what all my home school friends tell me:)

Something happened this week that really made me happy in my decision to school the kids. Joshua needs more time in long division, he gets it but he just does not like it and he rushes through and makes mistakes, SO we are taking a few days to refresh our steps. If he was in school, he would be left where he is and would have to go on. Major plus on schooling them myself! Each day we ALL learn something new!

We did some school yesterday, but will start back full force on Monday. Today they will read some and work on math. Not a lot just a little, to get them some what ready to start back. Are we ready? I think we are.. I think ALL kids thrive on a schedule....I will continue to take it one day at a time and we will make it through our 1st year!

November???

How in the world can it be November already??

I do have my days that I ask myself can I REALLY do this home school thing? Then there are days that I am like sure I can! Then I see that the months are really flying by and that really helps me get by...I really am doing this!

Being with the kids 24/7 is going well. Some days I just don't know:P But then that day passes and we made it! I love my kids so much and am so thankful that I get this time with them.

Chloe is very trying lately, she is so strong willed. I pray daily that this stage will pass soon! I don't remember the boys being this way:) She loves being home with mom and doing her school with me. She does have days where she will complain about the work, but we just make it happen.

The boys are doing great, some days are better than others, even after the hard days I know this is the best thing for the kids and they are growing up way too fast and before we know it they will all be grown and on their own. I am so thankful that I can do this for them, the boys also love being home and I pray that will continue.

So I will just continue to pray and take it one day at a time:)