Report Card

We received Ben's very first report card from the school that he attends one day a week. He did EXCELLENT! The school that he goes to provides the curriculum. On Tuesdays he goes to school all day and gets his lessons for the next week. Then for the rest of the week I teach it to him and he turns his homework in when he goes back on Tuesday the next week. It's a fabulous arrangement. The picture below is his report card. The M's stand for Mastered. The P's stand for Progressing. The N's stand for Needs Improvement (he received zero N's).

P.S. In case you can't tell, I love homeschooling!

Life is Good

So how's homeschool going? FANTASTIC! As I've discussed with David I feel like I finally understand God's will for my life. My entire life I've been organized, structured, disciplined, and punctual. Unfortunately, to the point of annoyance to some people (my poor husband). I see now that God made me this way for the very reason of homeschooling. I have truly found my passion, thank the good Lord. It is hands down one of the top 5 best decisions I have ever made.


Now with that description don't start thinking that our homeschooling efforts are done in a military kind of way. Oddly enough, we are very laid back during our daily routine which I find so refreshing. We aren't rushed, we take our time. We take lots of breaks. We have FUN learning! Benjamin is thriving. He's such a smart kid so it makes it so easy for me to teach him.

Our dining room, which hardly ever got used, has been transformed into our mini school.  Maps on the wall, calendars, white boards, and we even have the American flag (yep, we say the pledge every day before our lessons).  It has turned out to be the perfect setting.  Lots of natural light is in the room which makes it cheerful, big table for room for all of our stuff, and nice comfy chairs.   

On the mornings that the kids don't go to school (Ben goes one day a week and Savannah 2 days a week) our days look like this:

-we either decide to sleep in until around 8:30am or so or until one of the kids comes into our room and is ready to get up, or I get up way early to have some quiet time. I've been known to get up hours before them just to have my Bible time, coffee, emails, empty dishwasher, etc. Mornings sound great, right? No rush.  I hate being rushed in the mornings. Makes Mommy grumpy. I'm a firm believer that kids need rest so I rarely get them up before they're ready (unless it's a school day).

 -we go to the gym in the mornings and sometimes we eat lunch there. However, some mornings we take field trips instead .....dinosaur museum, zoo, Arboretum, aquarium, etc. and go to the gym after lessons.  (I'm a little obsessed with they gym, always have been).  Then if it's gymnastics that day we're off to gymnastics for 2 hours. When we get back we do lessons. Lessons are mostly after lunch every day.Lessons take anywhere between an hour and 2 hours, depending our how many breaks Ben needs.

-after lessons we usually go do something....either park or playdate. On Thursdays Ben has basketball at our gym so we eat dinner there on those nights.

So life is good.  Benjamin is learning so much and having fun.  Savannah sits at the table and does crafts while we do lessons and at times she joins in on our lessons.  The girl can already write the alphabet!  Ahhhh, proud Mama.


Our dining room......

New Friends

God has plopped some awesome new friends into our lives these last few months. It's amazing how quickly the friendships have blossomed! First, there's Handey. Her two girls have been so much fun! And of course, Savannah is all about girls! Dress up, dancing, and pretending to be a puppy....that's what these 3 girls love to do! Then there's Mirtha. Truly a blessing! She has a girl that just turned six, Emily. Savannah and Emily have become besties! Then there's Rocco. He's four. He and Benjamin have become besties as well. Emily and Rocco just moved in down the street from us so we get to see them several times a week. Not only did my kids acquire new friends, so did I! Love, love, love, these girls! :) Oh and David and Mirtha's husband, Alan, have a lot in common and they've been spending some time together as well. Just what David needed! Life is so good right now. GOD IS GOOD!

Ellie and Emily over for a playdate.

We have a date every Tuesday afternoon with Emily and Rocco for ice cream.

Savannah, Emily, Rocco, Benjamin

Savannah and Emily

Benjamin and Rocco

Benjamin, Ellie, Marisa, Savannah at the Science Museum.

Savannah's School Picture

Maid to be a Mother

Welcome to the home that lives within the house,
Where loving kids is all that really counts.

The dishes in the sink, the crumbs upon the floor,
And all the dirty laundry are secondary chores.

Now don't assume me lazy by looking at the mess,
I've put forth forty hours and still don't take a rest!

I polish little minds as bright as they can be
 And sweep out tiny hearts and keep them pure and clean.

 Each and every soul is scrubbed until it gleams,
I also pick up spirits, should they ever lose a dream.

So push the clothes on over, and have yourself a seat
— Excuse the toys and cookie crumbs sticking to your feet.

Judge me as a mother, not the maid I ought to be
I'd prefer sparkling lives to a house dirt-free.

—Anonymous