A blur

The last 4-5 days have been a blur as the boys and I work on clearing out the garage and getting it reorganized.

However, in that time we received our confirmation paperwork from the state saying we're officially a homeschool - hooray!

Unfortunately, Hubby has decided that we still haven't proven that we can pull this off, so the boys and I need to buckle down sooner than anticipated and show him we can get things done in a timely manner. Bummer, as I was looking forward to getting some time to get things done around the house. :(

Fortunately, he's not looking for huge results, just a decent schedule so we can get the work done before he gets home, so I need to get the boys working on some spelling and math and I think that will appease him for now.

Anyway, I've been spending far too much time on the computer lately, so will be shutting down probably for the next couple of days. Actually, I'm looking forward to it - I'm too easily distracted by this machine. It will give me practice for next month when we hit the school schedule hard, because I'm not going to have the time to mess around on it.

Signing off for now - have a full day ahead of me tomorrow. Good night!

It's Done!

Our paperwork was notarized and submitted to the state late last week - we're officially homeschoolers!  And I feel like a weight has been lifted from my shoulders. 

Last week I sent off notes to family, school friends, former teachers and the schools.  We've received quite a few replies, most very supportive.  (Though I think Melissa's was the kindest and most uplifting - thanks for that!)

Last week was a very homeschool-oriented week.  Not only did we received our HEN card (woot - educator discounts!), but we received confirmation from the HSLDA that our application has been received and approved, which was a huge surprise, since it usually takes 2-4 weeks.  (I submitted the app maybe Wednesday.)  For those who don't know, the HSLDA is the Homeschool Legal Defense Association.  In a very basic nutshell, they help out when public schools, neighbors or states overstep legal boundaries with homeschoolers.  

Yesterday I spent a few hours going over educational materials that my mother-in-law kept from her teaching days.  I'm flabbergasted at how much stuff she has and how much of it is still so usable.  Even if I don't use it in it's current form, it will give me ideas.  I brought home a few things to peruse - one is for schooling younger children, closer to TCC's age.  Several of the things are very Montessori, which I love!  (Sandpaper letters anyone?)  There are a few packets of information on learning styles and teaching styles, which I'm definitely going to be needing to help me keep things in mind.  

We'll be doing a lot of unit studies so I can keep the boys together for those.  About 2 months ago, I rediscovered several educational computer programs I'd picked up on clearance. The boys have been using them since before public school got out and have been really enjoying them.  I've had people tell me that you can find almost anything on YouTube for how to make things, or how things are done, so I know we'll be utilizing that.

Anyway, I'm really looking forward to this and feel this is going to be a wonderful experience!

More later.

Yikes!

So, it's been a REALLY long time since I posted!  Since then, we've fostered - and adopted - 2 more children!  The change in the household has been dramatic and is settling down into a semi-organized state of chaos.  (Is that described as controlled chaos?)

Our newest change coming up:  We're in the final planning stages of homeschooling the boys.  While we're thankful for the education they've received and really love the wonderful teachers they've had in their lives, we can tailor our educational style to meet their individual needs and interests. We've been doing some since summer started, kind of a trial run; MangaMan and Exuberant Boy have both commented that they like the fact that there aren't as many distractions and MM said he feels he's learned more math in 2 weeks than he could at school - and we're just reviewing basics.

Due to their ADHD, we felt the smaller environment would help both MM and EB focus better (and from the above, you can see they think so too!).  MM and The Shining Smile have both expressed a great desire to learn very specific things.  (Computer programming and cinematography for one and research on almost everything under the sun for the other!)  We've already hooked up with 3 homeschool support groups, which I'm thrilled with.  We're getting to know the people from 2 of them as we have attended several events.  I've learned a lot from them in just a few short weeks; I'm confident this is the right route for us.  

However, like most parents, I constantly wonder if doing this is going to damage them irreparably or if they're going to hate us.  I think TSS, who was super excited about the possibility, will come back around after he gets over the "mom is actually going to make me do the work she assigns" blues.  MM was looking forward to middle school, but I feel strongly that it would be a huge mistake to send him there.  His teacher from the first half of 5th grade said it well - we don't want him to get lost in the cracks, and I'm certain that's what would happen.  (In three months' time, between the middle and elementary schools, his paperwork got lost three times!) EB is going back and forth. I think he wants to complain about it because that's what MM is doing, but I honestly believe he's secretly as excited as TSS was.

The Curious Child will be heading back to preschool, at least for the foreseeable future, which will give me time to work with the others three mornings a week.  (When I'm working, the other three will go to Nana's house, where she has offered to help in the teaching - whoo-hoo!)  

All right, that's all I have for now!  Now that I've remembered my blog, I promise to be more diligent about updating.