First Day of School 2015

Well, we've started the school year. 2 days down and it has been.......interesting! Ha.

We chose Col. 3:23 as our verse for the year. It's as much for me as it is for the kids!

I can't believe this is our 5th year to homeschool. What a journey! The Lord has really taken us on a ride!!

I cannot believe that Anna is in 5th grade this year!!!! Where has the time gone?! It seems like just yesterday that I was posting about her first day of Kindergarten...

 Now look at her! Goodness. She's a super smart girl, but she doesn't like challenges so this year might take some getting used to! She's going to grow and learn by leaps and bounds if she puts her mind to it. She's such a hard worker and is THRIVING with her checklists!! She loves a list and knowing exactly what is expected for her for the day. 

 And this one...2nd grade! Was it really 5 years ago that I posted about his first day of preschool??

My lefty. He's going to be challenged, too, and he'll do great! I'm excited for the new curriculum that we're using. I think it will greatly benefit all of us.

This guy is SO EXCITED to be doing school with the big kids this year!! Anna worked with him a little bit at the end of last year and taught him to write his name. He's going to do so great this year!

Such a silly, intense boy! He presents challenges even today for homeschooling! HA!! I remember the first year we homeschooled, Isaac was about 9 months old when we started. He was a terror! He would crawl into the school room and pull Anna's hair, take her pencil, push things off her desk. He was a pest!! Ha. Now look at him...a big almost-5-year-old doing with his very own school work to do now!

Grace. She has taken over Isaac's long-held title of "Main Pest" during school! ;) She's about the same age Isaac was when we started homeschooling 5 years ago. Crazy! She also doesn't like to nap, so things can get interesting. 

 Yesterday, she crawled to the table, stood up at Anna's chair and yanked on Anna's hair!! Poor Anna...she's had a rough time with babies, her hair, and school time! I do have to say, she has been better than Isaac at playing with her toys while I teach. Of course, we've only done two days of school, so........

 Hard at work, biting his tongue like any respectable Stinemetz would do! Hehe

 Concentrating hard on her new work.

 I found "chalkboard" contact paper at Hobby Lobby. LOVE IT!! Pair that with wet-erase markers and I am loving this "chalkboard"!

 Found this awesome map at Educents.com-love it! It has all the state shapes, state names, mountain ranges, oceans, a compass, and icons for most of the states (like wheat for Kansas, pineapples for Hawaii, etc). The boys spent an hour putting everything on it the other day!

 My biggest obstacle is keeping up with all the chores. Summer was chaotic and I let the kids slide with not doing much of anything around the house. I listened to a podcast not long ago that talked about making kids responsible and teaching them to carry their share of the load. So we sat down and listed all the things it takes to make our house our home; to keep it neat and to be good stewards of the things with which God has blessed us. After we had that done, we discussed who was doing those chores. The kids easily admitted that Mom was doing almost all of them. They thought it was funny, but I used the analogy of a wagon: if everyone sits in the wagon and no one pulls...the wagon won't move. If one person pulls the wagon while everyone else sits, the wagon won't go very far very fast and that would be super hard work for the person pulling everyone else! BUT, if we all help pull the wagon and/or take turns pulling the wagon, it will move much quicker and much farther! They seemed to get that and were very willing to volunteer for chores!! We'll see how it goes. Anna loves having a list to check off, that's for sure!

 Silly kids!

 After a VERY rough 2nd day of school, I'm praying for strength! Haha! We had one get sick with a high fever and horrible headache (which she didn't tell me she felt bad until almost 2pm!!), and another one fell and split his eyelid open on the rocking chair (Isaac). Grace also decided to skip her morning nap and only take a quick afternoon one. *sigh* Such is life and I'm glad I get to do life all day, every day with these crazy hooligans with me!! ;)

Falconry

We're studying the Medieval Times in history this year. One week, a suggested study was falconry. Lucky us, I happen to know a falconer! Nate graciously agreed to come to Sterling (and bring his Golden Eagle) and give a talk about falconry to our homeschool co-op group!! It was so fascinating and the kids loved it.

And that would be my son, on the front row, that raised his hand and asked, "Can you get on with this to the interesting part?" Oh my gracious. It's a good thing Nate is a friend or I would have been completely mortified!!! Hilariously enough, about 3 minutes later when Nate tried to put the eagle down on the step, he tried to fly away (the eagle was tethered to Nate's arm) and flew about 2' from the front row! We asked Jacob if that was interesting enough!! Ha!

The Case for Cursive

I've heard a lot of discussion about cursive in the past year or two. I'm not even sure most, if any, schools even teach it anymore. Most people think the need for cursive is obsolete. Technology has made even teaching handwriting seem unnecessary. I'm one of the few people that can actually make a pretty good argument for learning cursive...Aaron's job! Cursive handwriting (nice, neat cursive handwriting) gives over 300 people a source of income in this area. When people ask why I would even want to teach cursive, I have a very real, "close to home" example of just exactly why I choose to teach cursive!

But after today, our first full day of school, I have yet another reason for doing it...look at Jacob's paper. Notice his name at the top and his cursive n on the rest of the page. 

This is with very little practice! He'd written it maybe 10 times before this page. I am amazed! I mean, he's been writing his name for almost 2 years. I'm still just slack-jawed over how well he wrote his cursive letters!

There you have it...my case for cursive. ;)

Reading Away!

A couple week, Jacob read his very first chapter book!!! He was so proud of himself that his chest just about popped. I hadn't realized it was a chapter book when I picked it up at the library for him, I just knew it was around 1st grade level so it would be a bit of a challenge. One afternoon he sat down with Binga and read it to her (with a little help on some bigger words)! This boy might be goofy, but don't let that fool you...he is one smart cookie! I'm so proud of him!!!

Slow Down Busy Moms

It's spring (even though the weather is hardly showing it!) and that usually brings a certain rush to life. We're nearing the end of school, at least for a little break, and I always feel the guilt of "hurry up and finish" when it comes to school work. The Busy Homeschool Mom recently posted about this. I quickly forget one of the greatest assets to homeschooling...going at a pace that fits my child and focusing on the relationships. Is it really going to matter if Anna doesn't finish her science curriculum until June instead of May? I forget to have fun with learning sometimes! So we spend 2 weeks on a lesson instead of 1...that's okay! Today, instead of doing what I had planned for history (basically just "lecturing"), I found a documentary on the USS Dwight D Eisenhower. Im pretty sure we *both* learned more and enjoyed it more this way! And now, when there are dishes piled up (because I forgot to start the dishwasher last night), and laundry to fold, and a dozen other things I really need to get done, all Isaac wants to do is have me push him on the swing. Only me. Not Anna or Bubba, only Mama. And I'm reminded again, these days are flying by so quickly. I blinked and Anna is almost in 3rd grade! My baby is not a baby anymore...not even close. Jacob will be 6 this summer! Eeek!!! So this afternoon, the dishes are still in the sink, the laundry is still waiting, the house is still messy from a day of learning and playing. And that's okay because Isaac insists, "Ma, eww bush meee!!"

My, How Life Has Changed Part 2*updated*

I just came across another article from a blog I follow. She states everything I'm trying to say (and then some) so much better than I can. So...go read her post! :) I should just erase the rest of this post and say "what she said!" Thanks for letting me share Stacie!

Another big change we've made in the past year is homeschooling. My feelings on homeschooling have changed so drastically in the last few years. And I realize that this can be a very sensitive topic. I have been on both sides of this, not only in my personal opinion but also as a professional. Just understand this...I do not think that everyone should homeschool...I do not think that you can't be a good parent if you don't homeschool...I do not think that public schools are bad places. I spent four years (and a LOT of money!) to earn a degree in education so I could teach in a public school. I had all the stereotypical ideas about homeschooling-socially awkward kids that don't fit in; fanatical families wanting to shelter their children from everything and keep them in a cocoon at home; etc etc etc. Of course, there are some homeschooling families that fit these stereotypes. Just like there are people that fit any stereotype there is out there! 

So what changed my mind? Well, one was maturity. ha! Being judgmental has always been a struggle for me. I have a lot of preconceived notions about a lot of things. There are always two sides to every story. Sometimes I forget that. Another thing that changed my mind was quite simply, becoming a mother. That's not to say that all mothers should have a change of heart and decide to homeschool. :) Honestly, God was working on my heart for a couple years about this. Even as recently as 2 years ago, when it was time for Anna to go to preschool. I told anybody that asked, "there's no way I could ever homeschool her...she's too stubborn, we're too much alike, we would just butt heads all day long." So she went to preschool. It was honestly the best possible choice for her and us at that point. She blossomed and learned so much, it was incredible! Then it was time for kindergarten. All day. I really didn't like that, and I knew that there was no way Anna would be able to handle all day. She still needed naps most days! When I found out we could send her for only half the day, I felt a little better. I've written about all this before, so you can read that again for our reasons for choosing to homeschool. Another reason I didn't mention is being able to fully incorporate our faith into schooling. I can make every subject relevant to God's word.
One of the questions/concerns that I get the most is the socialization aspect of homeschooling. Honestly, that was one of the biggest concerns Aaron & I had before we considered homeschooling. We had both come across homeschooled kids who were just plain awkward in any sort of social setting. But in all honestly? There are public-schooled kids who are just plain awkward in any sort of social setting! My, how life has changed...here's my perspective on it now: I don't believe that having my children surrounded by children of the exact same age for 8 hours a day will develop the "socialization" that I desire for my children. In fact, it has the exact opposite effect (at least it did with Anna & Jacob). I'm not sure how being in a classroom with 15-20 other 6 year olds will teach Anna how to talk to others respectfully, how to relate and speak to adults, how to hold a conversation with adults, etc. I'm not saying that she shouldn't have little girl "conversations" with her friends. I love hearing her and her cousin talk when no one else is around. It's sweet and comical. But we desire to raise respectful, God-honoring children. I'm not saying that you can't raise such kids if they go to public school. I should just make that disclaimer at the beginning of this post! Anyway, she learns how to play with other kids (my 4th grade teacher would be cringing if she read this post...she always hated the use of 'kids' instead of 'children'!!) by playing with her brothers, friends, at art class, and at the homeschool co-op. It isn't as though she sits at home in her room, alone, all day long with no interaction with others! I just came across this article about a huge research survey done about this very subject. It's a very good article and kind of just proves the point that most homeschoolers have been trying to prove for years. Read it here. So anyway, when someone (even my Mom has asked about socialization! :)) expresses concern about my children's socialization, I usually just smile and nod. Most people aren't ready/willing to hear and listen to the answer (this doesn't include you Mom)!
How long will we homeschool? We have no idea. We're taking it year by year. We plan to do it again with Anna next year. I'll work more specifically with Jacob next year for preschool. After that, God only knows (literally!). This much I do know...I have absolutely loved having all of my children at home. They have forged stronger bonds, learned more life lessons, and grown closer than they could have had they been in school all day, apart from each other. And this I also know...Isaac will be ready for school by the time he's 2! :)

He always wants to be right there with us, sitting in a chair/desk, "working" along with big sister!

These last couple of weeks have been a struggle for this girl. She is soooooo ready for summer break (so is Mama)! I plan on schooling throughout the summer, but we'll still take a break for a couple weeks here and there. It allows us to take longer breaks during the school year and it keeps everything fresh in her mind all summer instead of losing so much of it. Then we won't have to spend the first month in the fall reviewing half of what she learned in 1st grade! Anna has thrived with homeschooling. She loves being home with me and her brothers. She works so hard and is really taking off in every subject. Actually, some of the "social" aspects on her report cards from last year have improved solely because of homeschooling! Her biggest issues in kindergarten on her report card were working independently and completing her work in a timely manner. Because she is homeschooled and because I have other things (namely ISAAC!) that require my attention, she has, out of necessity, learned to be a self-motivated, independent worker! She has also had to learn to block out distractions and work in spite of them...i.e. Isaac screaming, Isaac trying to climb into her chair, Isaac pulling her hair (we had to move her desk away from the steps so he couldn't do that!), Isaac banging on the door/desk/you-name-it. Do you notice a pattern? ISAAC is a DISTRACTION! But she's a better student because of it! :)

So there you have. I'm a homeschooling, cloth-diapering mama! *shakes head* I can't believe it. Part 3 coming before next year.....

100!!!

-- Sent from my Palm Pixi

First Fieldtrip!

 Since the opportunities are vast, I decided to take advantage and have our first fieldtrip while we were in Iowa! There were many to choose from (although I was really sad to find out that we had missed Living History Farms by a week!), but I decided to do the Science Center of Iowa. Anna really likes science, so I figured they would enjoy this. I debated about going to an IMAX film, too but decided the day would be long enough for all of us (especially Isaac!) just doing the Science Center.

 We left around 10am and the first thing we see when we get inside is a place perfect for all three kids! Isaac had as much fun as the big kids!

 There was a great conveyer belt system and produce stand that Anna and Jacob loved playing with. (I hate that I just ended that sentence with a preposition!)

 Up, up, up they go!

 Anna loved sorting all the fruits and vegetables. She got a little math lesson in, too since each produce item had a price! :)

 Papa took an early (and long) lunch and joined us for a couple hours (that's who Isaac is looking at).

 There was even a bubble room!!

 This was Anna's 2nd favorite thing of the day. It was a system of water wheels. You were supposed to use the blocks to direct the flow of water toward the wheels and see how much electricity you could generate (there was a board that displayed the amount of power for each wheel). I don't think Anna really understood the concept of water flow, but she caught on to how I was using the blocks to direct the water flow. She had fun!

 Anna and I built this arc! 

 Isaac had fun exploring, too!

 This was Anna's favorite part of the whole place! There were plastic balls that you put in the baskets and they would shoot up and through and around. It was very interactive and the kids would have stayed there all day and played!

 Isaac liked the train table!

 He could barely reach, but that didn't stop him!

 We packed a picnic lunch (except it was much too cold to have an outside picnic!).

 Isaac did so good. He slept some of the time, but he was happy to ride around in the stroller and crawl around and play, too. Such a good boy!

 Every 30 minutes, there were presentations on different topics. We hit the chemistry session! Anna was excited that she knew what the lady was presenting (states of matter) since we had already studied that! She also got to volunteer and be a helper!

 Uhh...how cute are those safety glasses?! The experiment she helped with was changing a liquid to a solid. I was so surprised...I really didn't think she would want to stick her hand in the liquid and reach for the goo!

 But she dove right in and loved it!

Jacob got to volunteer, too! He was hilarious and those safety glasses just would not stay on his big ol' noggin. I'll have to upload the video of his experiment...