The CBD Order

It is an annual ritual.

However, it is usually taken care of long before now.
I've been just a bit busy this summer with moving into
the new Church Building and painting it, etc.

Crazy Busy.

Now it is time to buckle down and get the school stuff
done. So, last night, as I listened to the Olympics on
TV, I ordered math...my most dreaded subject. Hopefully
this year will go well again with Teaching Textbooks.
We are into Algebra. I never got it...not after three
years. Thankfully Warren understands it and these Teaching
Textbooks are a Godsend.

I am looking forward to the beginning of school.

It is coming soon!

Becky K.

It won't be long!

We are about to begin a new school year.

This is headed into being our most exciting
and purposeful year yet.

Both boys are actually working toward life
career goals and we are able to make that
a major focus this year. Kind of like our
own Vo-Tech, if you like.

Jonathan is already hard at work learning
a 3-d animation program and has another one
just waiting for him. He has plans to shadow
the art department of a large local theatre.
We just need to set a date.

Mikey is excited to jump into his horticulture
studies with the goal of interning at Longwood
Gardens. He prefers to end up in their two year
program but will have to see if he would do better
to start with the summer high school internship next
summer. Grandma Ruth is very excited to help him
with his garden design and learning on this subject.
They share this passion.

Grandma Ruth is also excited to work with Jonathan
to get him prepared to pass his driver's permit test.

What does that leave me?

LOTS!

You know, all of the basics, fun with Chelsea,
and tons to do at Co-op.

How is your year shaping up?

Gearing Up For The New Year!

I think I could do year round schooling. Truly.

I never used to think so, I looked forward to the summer break as much as my kids. I noticed this year though, that I wasn't ready to stop, I wanted to keep going, but as I was unprepared for that, we didn't.

Normally we start school the first week of August, but since we will have family visiting, I think we will get started a few weeks late. This coupled with my girls work at the maze, makes me worried we will be behind. I need to STOP the worry and pressure. We finished really early this year. I have all the time I need. I don't need artificial schedules.

I have all the required paperwork turned into the school district and we are ready to roll. I want learning to be a part of everyday life - I don't like "now it is time for school". I use those words, but I don't like them. I would rather say "do some math, now we are going to learn about the Romans etc...." We don't do school - to me school is desks and timetables and peer groups, and drama....

We are raising our children to love to learn and to do it in a natural way. Yes it is directed, but beyond the basics, we let them learn what they are interested in. It is delightful how much stays with them when they are learning what they have an interest in or passion for.

Now, since we have requirements required by the state, I am going to print off log pages for the girls. One more step toward the new year.

I'm excited!

Evaluations are Complete!

Hooray!

All of our evaluations have been completed.

All children did well.

Mommy is much relieved!

Now back to gardening!



Becky K.

Deep into Evaluations at Hospitality Lane

Jonathan has passed into 11th grade. He had his evaluation last week. I am so happy for him. His attitude was great this year and he jumped a couple of grades in math. Knowing how hard this subject is for him...I am very pleased.

Mikey and Chelsea have their evaluations this week. I am not worried about them doing well...they are great...I am worried about finding enough of their work to get the portfolios put together by Wednesday. It has been a "little" busy here of late.

Blessings on your day!

Becky K.

Identification Fun!

Hey, want to have some fun with your
children? Set them off to identify
these creatures that we have captured
on camera over the past two days...
Click on the picture to see it larger.





Becky K.

Library Visits

We love to go to the Library.

It seems to me each time I go
there are about 100 books to get
excited about.

Chelsea has been learning to use
the computer search feature to find books
that she likes.

Today I picked up The Girl of the Limberlost
for Chelsea to read.
I loved this book as a young girl.
She is a bit resistant as
she wants to pick her own books, however,
I reminded her that I have never picked out
a book or series that she didn't like.

Since Jonathan's reading is "tortured" due
to his dyslexia and eye focusing/tracking
issues we always find as many books on tape
as possible to keep his mind busy and on the
cutting edge. He reads shorter, simpler things
for school but I feel it is important for him
to enjoy literature at his level
so he uses the recordings
for this purpose.

Our most recent problem is finding decent material
that he hasn't heard. He loves to listen to these
as he goes to sleep every night. I always read myself
to sleep at his age...so it is kind of like that.

Interestingly enough, Jonathan is the child who
loves books the most out of all of the kids. He gets
so excited about going to the library and is often
the one asking to go. Chelsea follows at a close second.
Mikey, the athlete, is a reluctant reader. He is capable,
just not interested.

Working with our children's interests is a definite bonus
to homeschooling. I love seeing what makes them tick
and then focusing in on that.

Blessings on your Day!

Becky K.