Children working

I've written (and linked) a blog post about children working. Couldn't decide if it should go on this blog or my own personal blog.....my own personal blog won out because this issue is just part of who I am. I would love for you to read it though, as it is as integral a part of who our family is as homeschooling is! So go to my other blog to check it out (and for a link to my friend, Karen's, post....she says it even better!)

Was it really a "down day"?

Okay, so somehow today has gone by and not a whole lot of school has happened. Now, here it is 4:30, and only about an hour or so ago did I accept the fact that we are indeed just not doing school today....or are we??? Let me take you on a short tour through our home and describe to you the events taking place....

In the large family room, the younger 2/3rds of the children have been playing make-believe together ALL day long without a single fight....at all, none, and they have been having a great time. No movies, no Wii or anything like that, just the two of them in the midst of one huge, day-long story telling/acting adventure. I love it!!!

And that other 1/3rd of the student population in this home? Well, just a few minutes ago he excitedly brought me his latest "invention"...recently he purchased a Zune mp3 player with his own money. So, since he's obsessed with the thing anyway, he decided to rig it up to his electronics kit, and he has made his own speakers (though the electronics board). Not only that, but now his Zune is picking up FM radio stations better than it had been. He is quite pleased with himself and I am quietly laughing at the fact that he has created his own schooling for the day.

So there you have it....that's our day. Me, I haven't really done a whole lot either, which is nice AND the things that I have done sound like a big deal so it seems like I've accomplished stuff today too. 2 dozen English muffins and changed the sheets on the bed. Now I'm off to knit on Christmas gifts, cuz dinner is in the crockpot too!!

Love those lazy days!

testing

We got the results back from last spring's CRT's and I must say I was pleasantly surprised. What a confirmation that we are indeed doing the right thing for our children. I had put Big D back a couple of grades because of his spelling and writing issues (I wanted him to be able to learn without the pressure to write copious amounts). Well, his tests results came back for testing at 2 grades above where I have him (he's finishing up 5th grade work) and he it says that he had mastered 7th grade language and math skills! Science skills were lacking, but I expected that. And the Pink Princess, who I had put a year behind where she should be, tested excellent in language and mastered in math! Wahoo!! What a huge praise!!! It is always a struggle for me not to compare my school with what I think is the "norm"....there really isn't a norm, every child is different, and I see now (again) that homeschooling is what is best for my children....they are able to learn in their own unique ways (and obviously, they are learning). Yay!!

summer vacation in CT

Make a Smilebox photobook

Old Sturbridge Village (CT vacation)

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Fieldtrip to Higgins Armory Museum (CT vacation)

Make a Smilebox photobook

carp fishing

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Hampton Beach, NH (CT vacation)

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Capen Hill Nature Center

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Computer Dissection (CT adventures)

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Our camping adventure

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

"read-and-hop" scotch

Here's the game board (part of it). You have to read the word before you can hop into the block.

And here's Little D making his game winning move:

Spring fever

We got it bad!! Here's school for yesterday and today:

You might be a homeschooler if....

Walking around with an empty trash-bag box on your head makes you VERY cool, and time is spent improving the look! :)