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

Fredericksburg

Mom and I took a trip to Fredericksburg last month.  It was a great trip!  We were close enough to Main street that we could walk from the hotel.  Two days of wineries and shopping.  It was L.O.V.E.L.Y.! 

About Me

Benjamin...................................................

Favorite color:
Green and all the colors.

Favorite book:
Star Wars

Favorite movie: 
Ben 10, Super Hero Squad, and all the super heroes.

Favorite TV show:
Ben Tennyson

Favorite song:
Ben 10 song

Favorite fruit:
Kiwi

Favorite food for breakfast:
Cereal

Favorite food for dinner:
Ravioli

Other kids think I am:
That I am mean and some kids are mean to me. Some know I'm nice and Abby and Andrew and my friends at the gym believe in me.

What I like best about Mommy:
That she gives us back massages.

What I like best about Daddy:
I like that he tells me what to do.

What I like best about me:
I get to play with toys all day.

When I grow up, I want to:
Be a Paleontologist because I like finding bones, and a hunter, a scientist, a diver (I like diving).

 I like people who:
Be nice to me.

 I like to learn about:
I actually like to learn about everything that's been made.

 I want to go to:
Disneyland. I went to Disney World when I was little but I don't remember.


Savannah................................................

Favorite color:
Pink

Favorite book:
The Princess and the Queen.

Favorite movie:
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.

Favorite TV show:
Penguins

Favorite toy:
Blanket

Favorite song:
Mary Had a Little Lamb.

Favorite fruit:
Oranges and bananas

Favorite food for breakfast:
Waffles

Favorite food for supper:
Macaroni and cheese.

Other kids think I am:
They think I am nice.

What I like best about Mommy:
I love YOU!!!!

What I like best about Daddy:
He pushes me really high (in the swing).

What I like best about me:
to go skating....

When I grow up, I want to:
Be an animal doctor.

I like people who:
I like Emily and Rocko.

I like to learn about:
Blocks

I want to go to:
I DON'T want to go to Chuck E Cheese. I want to go skating outside.

Who's Smarter?

Benjamin:
Tell me about thunderstorms Mama.

Me:
Well, Ben, thunderstorms have thunder and rain.

Benjamin:
I don't think so. Let's ask Dada when he gets home because he's smart.

Me:
Benjamin I'm smart too!

Benjamin:
Yeah, well, Dada is smarter.....especially about guns.

Me:
Okay, I can't argue with that.

First Day of Homeschool Kindergarten

Benjamin is attending a private school one day a week for his homeschool.  This school actually provides the curriculum and assigns his lessons and homework that I teach him the rest of the week that he's here with me.  It's such a WONDERFUL arrangement.  He went last week for orientation, to meet his teacher, and to get his first week's assignments.  Let me tell you, it has been an awesome week for us.  He's been doing so well at his lessons.  I'm really enjoying it too.  Savannah even joins us at times too so she's learning stuff as well!  The only complaint Ben has right now about his lessons is of all the coloring he has to do.  He hates, let me say that again, hates coloring.  But we're not backing down on that one because he has to color to develop strength in his hands for writing and to work on his fine motor skills.  Now Savannah on the other hand would color all day if she could.  So funny how boys and girls are different.

He had his first official day at school today.  There were no tears and he was totally fine to be there.  Now let's just see what he says after I pick him up today. 

Here's a picture of him right before we left for school this morning.  He LOVES his Star Wars backpack!