Homeschool Mother's Journal 3

The Homeschool Mother's Journal is a linkup via www.TheHomeschoolChick.com.

In my life this week…

We kept busy as usual, this week, although I'm always busier than everyone else, it seems, since not all of our activities involve all of our children. My husband does his fair share, too! We skipped a field trip because my plantar fasciitis was really acting up. I went to the podiatrist Thursday for a shot and am vowing to keep up with all the things that I am supposed to do to help it heal. I really hate not being able to walk. I let this go on too long before the initial treatment, and now, I'm afraid I psychologically associate so many activities with pain (walking, the grocery store, basically anything that involves standing around or walking for more than a few minutes). It's something that I'll have to deal with for sure.


In our homeschool this week…

My husband officially started the Oak Meadow 5 History and English curriculum with DS (10) this week. As I sort of expected, there was much gnashing of teeth, after which lessons were done. I am hoping this smoothes itself out soon. They are both much too independent (and maybe just a bit stubborn ;)) to do what the other wants, and it can be stressful on those of us who just want everyone to get along!


My favorite thing this week was…

Okay, three favorite things: (1) seeing DS take a real interest in Scratch and start to do some work with it independently, (2) milk painting together, an idea that I got from the web and pinned on Pinterest (see below for picture), and (3) taking DS out to the Japanese steakhouse to eat at the Hibachi and celebrate his 11th birthday a little early.

What’s working/not working for us…

Not working: My feet, obviously. :) Also, my four-year-old seems to be having some self-confidence issues, at least when it comes to guided art. Whenever we try to draw a certain picture, she seems to think that if it doesn't look like mine or even a simple line drawing, it's not good enouogh, and she wants me to "help" (aka draw it for her). I try to be encouraging but so far, no dice. I'm seeking advice and may just stick to free drawing or even "why don't we draw a picture that reminds us of what we read about." With free drawing, she's happy and imaginative. I'm not sure why she compares herself to me or others so much, as I have tried not to do that. Maybe just natural human behavior. One step at a time, I guess.


Things I’m working on…

There is not much time beyond work, but I just bought UDraw game tablet for the Wii, and I hope to play around with it a little this week. DS's birthday is Monday, so it's gonna be a busy one!

I’m reading…


I haven't started anything new yet, but I just finished reading Real Murders (Aurora Teagarden book 1) by Charlaine Harris. It was my first e-book checkout from the library. I have a ton of both paper and e-books in my stack to read, so I'm sure I'll find something new.


I’m cooking…

Plenty this week! DS and I cooked American apple pie for World Cooking. The girls and I made homemade whole grain crescent rolls during school time. The girls also helped me with some baked apples, which I burned by leaving them in the crock pot too long (who knew you could do that?).


I’m grateful for…

A couple of weeks where we've gotten most of our lessons done (thanks to handing over history and English to DH) so that I can at least see how Oak Meadow really works for our kids and how we work together. I already know I need to schedule in a little more free time (for myself as much as anyone), even if it means other busier days.


A photo, video, link, or quote to share…

One of our milk painting examples. They changed constantly. You get the most color when you put all the drops of color in that you want before you stick in the soap-covered toothpick.

The Homeschool Mother's Journal 1

This is my first go at an entry for The Homeschool Mother's Journal, a linkup through www.TheHomeschoolChick.com, but I'd thought I'd give it a try. It seems like a great way to stay connected with other mothers on the homeschooling journey.


In my life this week…


It's been busy, getting started with our new curriculum (Oak Meadow with some modifications) and running around a lot, to appointments and even a Mom's Night Out, followed by lots of work. Sometimes, it feels like I never stop going. My Aspie continues to present challenges, of the good and not-so-good kind, but I try to take it one day at a time.

In our homeschool this week…


We jumped in on Tuesday and did some work Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Friday was full of driving and appointments and work, so that was kind of an off day, although I did do circle time with my younger ones before I left and gave dad a project to do with them while my son and I were gone (making "bodies" out of modeling clay). I am not holding much hope for next week as it's a short week followed by a trip out of town for the weekend.

Helpful homeschooling tips or advice to share…


I've started using the basic/free version of Homeschool Tracker software. I was using some online software, but it was getting rather cumbersome. Although it would be ideal to have almost everything put in ahead of time, I can put in assignments after they're done, which is helpful, and it also has a handy "daily journal" section that I can use for short notes. I can also post a copy of my blog (sans pictures) there. I'm not sure yet what the full version entails, but the basic version is pretty handy on its own.

I am inspired by…


Why can't I think of anything/anyone? Guess I'm not feeling that inspired lately. I am just really focused on getting by and finding something that works on a more long-term basis for our family. I guess I admire those that have found the balance, or at least some semblance of it.

Places we’re going and people we’re seeing…


My oldest goes to karate twice a week. Other than that and doctors/therapist appointments, we haven't been "going" that much this summer, partially because of work and also for me to heal my plantar fasciitis up somewhat. However, next week, a two-hour drive to Boxerwood Gardens in Lexington, Virginia, is on the calendar, as well as a drive to New Jersey to visit my in-laws, where I will be taking my oldest to Six Flags Great Adventure. He has recently developed a real interest in roller coasters. Now, if only my nerves can take them!

My favorite thing this week was…


Gathering leaves and flowers with the kids to press and Mom's Night Out. Nothing like an evening out with the girls to perk you up. :)

What’s working/not working for us…


Cooking breakfasts ahead of time lately (pancakes and/or egg casseroles) has really helped get my mornings off a little faster so that I can get my "me" time (to work out and shower) and still get homeschooling done before work in the afternoon.


The scheduling is still a challenge, though, and I continue to wish that I could afford and have a trusted child care provider for just a little time each week so that my life had a few breaks and wasn't just a schedule of work-sleep-kids-work-sleep kids. The pockets of "family time" or just "relax time" have to be stolen from one of those items, and it never works out well.

I’m reading…


Just finished some of my happy fluff reading (Nora Roberts, Happy Ever After) and am reading the current edition of Voice (the magazine of VaHomeschoolers), in which I have an article, and Freezer Pleasers, which I picked up at the Green Valley Book Fair.

A photo, video, link, or quote to share…


My son and I really enjoyed this video of the rarely seen African Golden Cat, not much bigger than a house cat:


National Geographic: African Golden Cat

A New Chapter

We have been homeschooling for five "official" years. My oldest, DS, 10, would be in fifth grade this year were he in school, and he has always been homeschooled.

Up until this point, you could have labeled us as either unschoolers or ecelectic homeschoolers. We've done various levels of structure, mostly on the low-structure side. The most we've done lately is a little Time4Learning every day. However, the kids are a little bit bored with it, truth be told, and they are craving more attention from me.

Thus begins my quest for more structure this year. Mostly, it's a way of kicking myself in the rear-end every day to make sure I spend some good time with the kids, seeing where they are (and not just what level of Diablo II DS has gotten to) and not getting to the end of the day feeling like it got away from me.

My life is full, jam-packed, crammed to the crannies, about-to-explode, full. I work 30-35 hours a week from home. I have three children, DS10, DD4, and DD2, who are all homeschooled. DS, in addition to being an all-around smart guy, also deals with Aspergers (a gift as much as a curse) and anxiety issues. He often has various "appointments" in our never-ending quest to get him/us help when needed. We attend group field trips, visit family/friends out of town, and are generally constantly on the go. It's no wonder that I sometimes wonder where my days have gone.

It's not that I don't think my kids are learning. They certainly do that every day with no help from me. But why not do it together more? If I have to pencil in quality time with my kids to make sure they all get it, then so be it! NOT doing it is not a regret I want to have.

So, how to reconcile our unschoolish ways with my desire for a little more structure?

I think I may have found the answer in Oak Meadow's homeschool curriculum. It is Waldorf-inspired, and as I commented tonight to a friend on Facebook: "it's got the spirit of learning that I've always believed in--using what they're interested in, not worrying about it so much if they're not, giving them different options for completing assignments, considering learning styles, and it's slow paced, which I'm coming to appreciate more and more." The curriculum is also heavy on the creative arts and the spiritual (though not religious), the latter of which I feel has been a bit lacking in our homeschool thus far.

Another thing I've decided to try this year is using an evaluation or portfolio at the end of the year for our state's proof of progress requirement. DS has scored very well on the tests so far, but to be honest, the stress and anxiety they cause are just not worth it. I'm sure would rather sit down and talk with an evaluator (a.k.a. another homeschool mother who is also a certified teacher and qualified evaluator) or not have to do anything (i.e., me creating a portfolio) than go through all that again. He'll have his share of tests, I'm sure, but these particular tests are so imbalanced (all that counts is math and reading) and arbitrary that I'm not worried about skipping them.

So, in that vein, I'm blogging again. I want to record our progress, our challenges, our creations, and use those records for either a portfolio or evaluation at the end of the year. In the meantime, maybe I'll entertain a few people besides myself and maybe even inform some or at least provide some options. I hope you'll join me.