What we decided on

As of today everything for this school year has been ordered and is on it's way here.  Because it took us so long to make a decision about what were were going to do, we won't be starting school on Monday. I would rather start at the beginning of the week instead of the middle, but I am learning to be flexible. :)

Here is what we have decided on for curriculum.

Anna- 5th grade

     Switched on Schoolhouse

     ~"Switched-On Schoolhouse is a comprehensive, Christian homeschool curriculum that offers computer-based learning for grades 3-12. With animation, video clips, and other fascinating multimedia, Switched-On Schoolhouse is the perfect Christian homeschool curriculum for today's generation...Unlike traditional textbook curriculums with dry, one-dimensional lessons, Switched-On Schoolhouse (SOS) has a diverse, vibrant mix of entertaining lessons, assignments quizzes, and more! Fun-filled lessons are created to captivate students' attention and engage them in learning."

We ordered the subjects separately instead of getting the core package.  We decided to drop Bible (which is included in their core 5).  We are doing our own thing for Bible with the kids, so didn't feel it was necessary to spend an extra $89 for that program.

For Bible we are using Building on Firm foundations. Bill is using this with All the kids.  I am also looking into doing the Bright Lights curriculum with Anna.  It is a Bible study for mother's and daughters. 

Ryan- 2nd grade
     Usually I would do the same curriculum with both of the older kids but since the Switched on Schoolhouse doesn't start until 3rd grade that wasn't an option. We decided to go the route of an online academy. We enrolled him in the A Beka Academy.

"A Beka Academy is an accredited, comprehensive distance-learning program for Kindergarten through grade 12. This academically-challenging, college prepatory education features high quality video instruction and uses Christian character building textbooks from A Beka"

We chose the  streaming video option.

James- Kindergarten
Claire- preschool
     I have to say I am probably most excited about doing Kindergarten this year. We ordered My Father's World.  This is a description from their website of What My Father's World is all about,

• Recognizes the Bible, God's truth, to be the foundation of wisdom and education.
• Utilizes hands-on, unit studies with daily lesson plans that are easy-to-teach.
• Enables families and multi-age groups to learn together. Many of our programs may be taught to a range of ages simultaneously.
• Combines the best of Charlotte Mason's ideas and classical education with a Biblical worldview, an international focus, and our own observations of how children learn.
• Uses a comprehensive, sequenced learning program beginning with preschool learning toys to develop readiness skills. Our complete unit-based curriculum includes a phonics-based learning-to-read program and focuses on God's amazing creation (kindergarten), the world of the Bible (first grade), and U.S. history (second or third grade). Then a year of geography sets the foundation for four years of chronological world and U.S. history (through eighth grade). Our high school curriculum provides a Biblical framework for English, history, and other subjects.
• Provides easy-to-teach, integrated curriculum that is enjoyable, academically strong, and focused on character development.
• Is committed to the Lord of All, who tenderly searches for people from every tribe and language. A portion of our profits helps support missions work overseas, especially Bible translation projects. Our heart's desire is that someday soon all people would be able to read of God's love in their own language.

After talking to several friends who have used this and looking through the materials, I feel really confident that this will be really good for James and Claire.  I decided to teach James and Claire together this year. While Claire is a little young to be doing Kindergarten I think she will do really well in keeping up with James.  She is really motivated to learn and I actually think she could learn to read this year alongside James. I am not going to push it, just encourage her where she wants to learn and grow.  The same goes with James.  If I see that he is really not doing well this year, I am not going to push it.  I am a mom who believes it is okay to start your children later with school.  We did that with Ryan.  I started Kindergarten with him at age 5 and he just wasn't ready.  By the next year (when we repeated kindergarten) He did so well.

I did not order the complete Kindergarten package but instead  ordered the basic. Then I chose what extra things I wanted to go with it.  Here is a list of the extra things I ended up deciding on,
~Cuisenaire Rods
~ Cuisenaire Rods Alphabet Book (Ordered through My Father's World)
~a-z lowercase puzzle
~Number puzzle boards and Pegs
~Kid's puzzle (Ordered through MFW)

So there you have it. Our curriculum choices for the 2011-2012 school year.  Now that I finally have the burden of that decision off my shoulders I am looking forward to starting.  So much prayer has gone into all of this.  I know it is going to look a little different then what I am used to, but I have confidence that God will give us the grace we need.

So stay tuned to find out how it all goes and what we decide we like/dislike about what we are using.

Decisions on homeschooling

I've been struggling with guilt lately.  We have a lot of big decisions to make, many of which revolve around our kids. One of the biggest decisions is regarding homeschooling curriculum. When we pulled the kids out of public school this past December I just did a mix of curriculum with Anna and Ryan. It wasn't  the most organized system but it got us through the rest of the year.  I knew at the beginning of summer that I was going to want something more organized. We began praying months ago for wisdom in this area. But, here we are just 2 and a half weeks before school starts and we still have not ordered anything.  Every time I have sat down to research or pray about it I just feel this huge weight and then I feel paralyzed in making any kind of decision.

I think the problem is, I have this ideal of homeschooling.  I have thoughts about how I think it should go and what I want it to look like. I love the whole Charlotte Mason approach to homeschooling. I want to be more hands on. I want to understand my kids better and teach in way that is effective for each of their learning styles. I want to be involved. However, because of us moving overseas (hopefully in the next year) we need to find something that doesn't require so much planning and teaching on my part. Bill feels strongly about getting the kids in an online charter school, at least for the next few years. We want to try it out this year and see how it goes before we got overseas.  The reason for doing this is because the first few years in another country are going to be very busy and stressful for us as we learn the language and culture. We still feel strongly about homeschooling, so it looks like for now this is our best option.

This decision has lead to even more guilt on my part. I couldn't put my finger on why I was feeling so much guilt until the other night when I was talking it out with Bill. I realized that it's because of the ideas I hold of homeschooling.  A few months ago I went to a homeschooling seminar. It was while Bill and I were in training and it was geared towards people like ourselves who are going to be homeschooling overseas. One of the biggest things that struck me about that seminar was when one of the speakers said, "homeschooling will look different overseas then it does in the states." It sounds like a duh statement but I had never really thought about it. Oh course it is going to be different.  I keep thinking about that and realize that I need to come to grips with it.  I have to get rid of some of my ideals and learn to be flexable.  At least for a time.  For my sanity and stress level, we are going to have to do things differently over there.

I was talking to a new friend of mine recently and telling her my concerns with the curriculum that we are deciding on. She looked at me and said, "You know, you can make anything work. It's all in your attitude and how you approach it."  I really appreciated her saying that to me.  Yes we may find that we don't care for what we have chosen to use this year, but we will work with it and learn from it and adjust things as need be. And who knows we could find that we absolutely love it, this new way of schooling and it could radically change my my ideas about homeschooling. I don't want it to sound like I  expect our experience this year to be all negative. I just know it's going to be different. It always takes me awhile to adjust to change.

I have also come to realize over the last few days that I don't need to feel guilt.  Guilt does not come from the Lord so it is not something that I need to succumb to. I am still my children's teacher (no matter if they are using an online teacher to teach their subjects to them). I will still be proactive in teaching my children character traits and what God's Word has to say. Those are the lessons in life that are the most important.

We are going to be making our final decisions about curriculum this weekend, and ordering all of our materials. I will come back once we do and write about what we end up with.  Looks like it's going to be and interesting adventure this year. :)

Playing hard and learning while at it

One of the great thing about homeschooling...

Just a few pictures from our trip to Discovery world last week. So thankful that I get to share moments like this with my kiddos!

Bubbles and paint

This is what we did for art the other day. The kiddos LOVED it!! You can read more about it here on our homeschool blog.

James got more on his face then on the paper! :)

Better

Today was a MUCH better day then yesterday, and for that I am very thankful! I know it is just going to take some time. Since Claire's birth there has been a serious lack of structure, so it only makes sense that yesterday would have been difficult.

I spent time today being encouraged by our pastor's wife who has homeschooled all 6 of their kids. What a blessing it was to talk to her and get some ideas and ways that I can make this transition easier. Now if only I could find a way to get up early to have quiet time. I do get up but the kids ALWAYS hear me and think it is time to come down. Anna and Ryan are okay with playing quietly in their rooms until it is time to come down but James doesn't understand. This is something I am working on. :)

Bill has been such an encouragement to me, telling me that I can do this and how much fun this year will be. I so appreciate his words...I need it!! When I am nervous and doubt myself he is right there to be the encouragement that I need. And, he tells the kids all the time that they they are really blessed to get to stay at home and be schooled by the best teacher (melt my heart by his sweetness). He helps out around the house and does whatever he can to help! :) I love that he wants to help and be involved when and where he can. His support of me is so amazing. I am blessed.

Well I am off to finish a load of laundry and clean up the kitchen so I can get to bed!

First day of school

I would love to write about how wonderful our first day was, but it really wasn't. Today was tough...a little tougher then I thought. But, we made it through. I expect that it is just going to take some time to get used to our new schedule. I think I underestimated how hard it would be to juggle teaching two different grades with a toddler and baby, oh my! :) Even though it was hard I feel good about it. I don't feel discouraged just tired. :)

Our day may have started out shaky but it did end good. I think the kids favorite part of today was art, we made homemade play-doh. I am praying for creative fun ways to teach the kiddos. I know they enjoy that.

Thankfully tomorrow is another day and we can start afresh with happy hearts and renewed strength. I am excited to see what the morning brings!

If you want the recipe I used for Play-Doh you can find it on our homeschool blog.

Leaving a legacy

Tonight Bill and I attended a funeral for a dear man at our church. He passed away suddenly a few days ago. We were both shocked and saddened at his passing. Bill had attended a men's Bible study with Larry for several years and had gotten to know him a little. Actually, there is a bit of a story behind all of that let me tell...

I had been praying for Bill's spiritual life (not that there was anything wrong, this is just something I always pray about) and praying specifically that God would bring another man into his life to encourage him in the Lord. I can't remember exactly how it happened, but I do remember Larry seeking Bill out at church, striking up conversations. Bill started attending the Bible study once a week that Larry was in. If Bill ever missed a week, Larry would call to find out how he was doing, ask what he could be praying for etc. This was such an encouragement to my heart to see that I had prayed for this very thing and God had answered. While they did not get the chance to develop a deep friendship it was a blessing to know that he cared about my husband and wanted to encourage him. When Larry had health issues over the past year or so Bill and I spent time praying as a family for him.

Just two weeks ago, Bill talked to Larry at church. Larry must have sensed that his time was near as he brought up the subject of death. He knew where he was going after he died but did not want to leave yet. Bill struggled to find words to say. Thursday morning we got a call that Larry had gone on to be with the Lord Wednesday night.

As we sat in on the funeral, which was such a celebration of his life, I really wished that I had known him better. He left behind a wife and three grown sons and several grandchildren. His boys gave the most beautiful eulogy I have ever heard, each one giving testimony of their father's character. They spoke of His love for the Lord and his desire to spread the gospel to others. His compassion and the encouraging man of God he was was evident with everything they said. They each thanked their father for living a life that showed them what it meant to live by faith and to love generously. After the sons spoke, many others got up and gave similar testimonies of how Larry had touched them and encouraged them to grow in the Lord. What a beautiful legacy... I was truly touched. I did not leave with dry eyes, but left with a changed heart.

I had an entirely different post ready to go tonight talking about my nervousness with starting school tomorrow morning. After we came home I deleted it. Not that I'm not still nervous, but sitting there listening to how Larry effected his children's lives the Lord spoke to me. He showed me that I am doing exactly what I have been called to do. There is nothing to be nervous about. In that moment the Lord filled my heart with such joy. The Lord can use my weakness, He will fill in, He will give strength, He will lead me. I am so excited to begin in the morning.

I only pray that someday when our children stand to give testimonies of our lives, we will have left behind such a legacy...

All for His glory!

Updates

Finally updated our homeschool blog. If you would like to see a sample of our daily school schedule and Anna's book list (still working on getting Ryan's up) stop by. :)

Chinese family night

Since we spent the last 2 weeks engrossed in the Olympics I thought it would be fun to have a family night centered around China. (thanks to Wendy for the idea).

This is my attempt at making a Chinese meal (Here is the recipe for sweet and sour chicken that I used) from scratch. I tried to find chop sticks but wasn't able to. The meal was a huge hit. After the meal we read from this book. There was a page on China. It is a great book by the way. I would highly recommend it. We are using it in school this year. I love that along with facts about each country it gives ideas for things to pray about for the people there.

Homemade fortune cookies for dessert. Okay, so they don't look like the ones you would buy, but they tasted like it.

We ended the night by watching more Olympics of course.

School

I took this past weekend to plan out our school year. Bill packed up the kids (except for Claire who always stays with me) on Saturday and took them to his parents so that I could have a quiet house. That was just want I needed to clear my head and get things done. I have been praying for wisdom in choosing the right curriculum. We actually considered putting Ryan in public school this year for kindergarten. We went and explored that option out of obedience to what we felt God wanted us to do. But in the end, God made it clear that Ryan should school at home. I have so much peace about this.

After spending the day planning and looking for the best prices, I think I am finally done. I ordered all our books last night. I am so excited! It is going to be like Christmas when all of our school stuff gets here!

I'm sure this year will bring it's challenges, but I am looking forward to diving in. Updates on our homeschool blog will be coming soon.

Homeschool Blog

I have decided to start another blog just for the purpose of writing about our homeschooling journey and progress. This blog (My Full Cup) is what I use for writing about everything, and I am still going to be using this blog. I just wanted a separate place to document our adventures in school.

So if you are interested in reading about it you can go here.

Homeschooling Adventures

This morning I was trying to find something to entertain James with while we did school. I pulled out the pots and pans and spoons. All 3 kids then decided to form a band. It was pretty fun! Mornings here are often loud, this morning especially! :) Some days here are hard, obviously some are not...but I really wouldn't trade it for anything. I love that I get to stay home and I'm so privileged to homeschool my kiddos! This is a favorite song around here. I thought it was fitting to post the lyrics! If you haven't heard Sandra Boynton's "Dog Train" Cd you need to. It is so much fun! :)

Pots and Pans

I've got ONE pot.
A metal spoon
What've you got?
You've got a rhythm tune.
You've got a pot. Spoon.
Rhythm tune.
You've got a pot
AND spoon
AND rhythm tune.
You've got a little, got a lot,
got a musical pot.
Now what? Now What?

I've got pots: Pots and pans.
I've got pots: Pots and pans.
Yeah, that's the way
that I like to play-
banging on pots and pans.
Yeah, banging on pots and pans.

Now another pot.
A wooden spoon.
What've you got?
You've got a rhythm tune.
You've got a 2-pot
2-spoon 2-2-tune.
You've got a little, got a lot,
you've got whatever you got
Why not? Oh, yeah, why not?

I've got pots: Pots and pans.
I've got pots: Pots and pans.
Yeah, that's the way
that I like to play-
banging on pots and pans.
Clanging those pots and pans.

--Sandra Boynton, from Dog Train

Exploring God's Creation

Anna examining, "magnifying" the flowers, as part of science today.

I love homeschooling today! Today made it feel so worth the hard work to me. We had somewhat of a difficult day...actually, some behaviors were very difficult. I pretty much battled with one of my children's attitude all day. But, for a few sweet hours everything was beautiful.

I took the kids down to the lake after we had finished our school work. We had a picnic and fed the ducks. Then we sat under the shade and read our Science. We are using Exploring Creation with Botany by Jeannie Fulbright. So far I am loving the book. I have to put a quote on here that I thought was so good.

The plants of the world truly magnify the Lord. Are you wondering what it means to 'magnify' the Lord? Well, have you ever looked through a magnifying glass? a magnifying glass makes things look bigger so we can see them better. That's what God's beautiful world does. It is like a magnifying glass that magnifies God so we can see Him better. When we study the flowers--their beauty and how perfectly they were created--we know that God is beautiful, perfect and creative. God is very creative. He must have an incredible imagination. Do you have an imagination? Of course you do, because you were made in the image of God! You have also been given many of the other wonderful traits that He has. Since your creativity shows us that you were made in the image of God, it magnifies God when you do creative things.

I had to read that last sentence twice to Anna. She is so creative and loves anything artistic. God is magnified through our creativity....what a beautiful reality.

Even though I had some tough things to deal with today...it was a beautiful day. God really blessed us in being able to enjoy His creation. The kids and I had a blast. We went home hot and tired, but full of wonder at the awesome God we serve.

First day of school

1st day of school pose.

Today was our first official day of school for the year. We are doing 1st grade with Anna and preschool with Ryan. Today was a bit of a challenge trying to get our school done while keeping busy James out of trouble. I had to pull him off of the top of the kitchen table maybe 6 times...just stuff like that. :) I think the more time that goes by the easier it will get. I also need to work on getting Ryan to stay interested. He did pretty good but got bored after a little bit. So, lots of stuff for me to think about! :)

On Thursday we are taking a "field trip" to the Dr.'s office. I have my 16 week cheek up. I am going to talk to the Dr. and see if he can can get me in for an ultrasound that day. That would be so much fun. We have been talking about the baby with the kids. Anna can't wait to see the ultrasound. If we can't have the ultrasound done on Thursday then we will have it done next month.

I don't think I ever shared how the kiddos responded when we told them we were going to have another baby. We told them a few weeks ago at bedtime. Anna was very excited, of course. She said she couldn't believe it because she had been praying for another baby (a sister in particular). Ryan wasn't so excited at first. He kept saying that he didn't want a little baby. So Bill and I started mentioning babies that the kids know and asking them if they wanted a baby like that. We mentioned Hadley, and Lily, and James (we had to throw a boy in there). Ryan kept shaking his head no. Anyway, it was time to pray and Anna prayed, "Thank you God for providing us a little baby in Mommy's tummy." When it was Ryan's turn we weren't sure what he would say. He prayed, "Thank you God for the little baby and I wanted that it could be like Lily." (Ryan Loves baby Lily).

Now they are all excited and can't wait to go on the "field trip"

By the way, click here to see pictures from our first day of school last year. What a difference a year makes.