"Homeschooling" As We Know It

Day one of return to homeschooling after our Christmas break:

After our "school time" was over, while my groggy husband was recovering from waking at 2:30 in the afternoon, I went to him frustrated, "I cannot get so and so out of bed, and by the time we are all in the same room to begin school, someone tells me that they have farm work to do, and, and..."  He wisely said, "If they won't get out of bed, drag them out." And he said, "Get them up extra early to get the work done before school." Hmmm. I had already though of that, but had no commitment to doing it until after my pity party was done. Then, there was no where left to turn except to fix it or forget it. I was not going to forget it, that makes them lazy and irresponsible, and makes me grouchy. So, I'd best get resolved to fix it.

Day 2 of this week of schooling:

His tail has almost grown back,
after being attacked earlier this fall.

Everyone fed and dressed appropriately for the public by 7:45 a.m. and ready for farm work. Two boys handle the the breaking of ice for the sheep, looking for new lambs and any other sheep maintenance needing to be done. They also feed the rooster. (I like that rooster. He thinks he's a sheep because he's the lone chicken here right now, and he's funny.) Those two were out the door. The other two boys are responsible for moving cows, as we rotational graze, and feeding the dogs. As they headed out, I heard, "The farm truck is out of gas." (Translation- this means they will be absent from school for a couple of hours if they have to walk.) Okay, I can get frustrated, which changes nothing, or fix it. One kid feeds dogs, the other goes with me to town for gas and other feed store items for the sheep (salt, mineral and the like). Shew, we got it done. All done. The new lambs taken care of, the cows moved, the sheep salted, and back in the house by 9:30 to start book learning. Ag class was done. Everyone got an "A."

One of the Ag teachers.

Day 3:

All up, fed, dressed, chores done and back in the house by 9:15 a.m. Yes! They worked hard, got done and now have time for things they'd rather be doing. Like this.

Joel went on a "Civil War hike." 

Homeschooling is fun. It's great to be together as family all day long. Here at the start of the new year, I am re-organizing, re-planning, reviewing and really having a hard time making myself do those things. I just want to get down to business, not figure it all out.  It is not natural for me, nor easy. I am a go-to gal. I want to get up and get going on something I like to do, something artsy and creative. But, if I see my time with my kids as an investment, I can do it. I'm gonna fix it, (fix me and them) and not forget it! By the grace of God, with prayer and perseverance we will all come out better and have a good, productive year!

My buddy, Trouble, and her twins

"Triple Trouble"

Soft, warm, cuddly and harmless. Raising sheep is great!

Masonry class...they're getting an "A."
That is real, heavy, creek rock, not faux stone. 

The Little Brother Football Game- 2011

Last Saturday, we hosted a home-schoolers' football game. This was a great way to spend an afternoon doing something the boys would enjoy, and it cost us nothing. Just some popcorn for sustanance- homemade Kettle Korn, and homemade cheese popcorn. Easy.

 The idea was for the big boys to get together, grunt, spit, get dirty and see who was the "top dog," as big boys like to do, but in the midst of it all we ended up with a bunch of younger brothers.

 Hence a game of younger players went on alongside the older boys' game. While Ron looked after the older boys, it was my job to keep the younger game in line, and take some fun pictures in the process! 

The huddle of Team Super Hero.

Run Caleb run!

 The big ones did a fabulous job of making the little one feel very BIG!

And Team Super Hero throws...

This is Team Hugger. Well, at least two of them. 

After a while, the one in blue shirt was traded to the Super Hero team and the more 

gentle spirited Super Hero player was traded to team Hugger. LOL! 

That was NOT a good idea. Super Heroes and Huggers need to be mixed to keep a balanced team.

Looking for the interception!

Yes!

Warrior face! Wow.

Happy face! Sweet victory.

Hence the name, "Team Super Hero." 

(The one on the end was traded to the "Hugger" team.) 

He could be on my team any day, I love those Huggers. :)

NOTE: I did not actually call them these names. Their differences were apparent during the game, but the names just came to me as I went over the photos! 

This one is blurry, but I love the expressions.

Tackled and lovin' every minute of it!

Comin' Through!

 Not too many boys would say this is a bad thing.

 Pretty cool whether you're on the top or bottom of the pile.

 They're tough looking, if I do say so! 

Most importantly, a great afternoon was had by all.

 And this is the littlest player, who loves leaves. 

During the game, a pile of leaves easily caught his attention.

We grown-ups miss out on these simple pleasures.

The End.

Oh, yeah.

A Visit to the Pumpkin Patch

                                                                                                            

"Autumn

 is   a 

second  spring

when every leaf 

is a flower." 

                                                                                                                                                                            A. Camus

We visited Spring Hill Pumpkin Patch with fellow home-schoolers this week.

What a relaxing, wonderful time it was! 

Moms chatting, roasting hotdogs, kiddos playing, hayrides, hay forts (or a hay house if you're a little girl), corn mazes, and just fun, fun, fun. 

Of course, with liking painting and photography...the colors and textures were what I loved. I could have taken a hundred photos. The little children playing in the corn box were adorable. But, I refrained, not wanting to intrude on someone else's child and appear "creepy!" Unfortunately, ours are too big for such things and I couldn't keep up with Joel in the hay fort. 

Joel

   

Jake

Dylan

Dalton

All that effort...and notice where the football is! 

 They really did have a wonderful time playing ball with friends all afternoon. I think they played ball for 3 or 4 hours!

Bestest Buddies ~ the daughters of the the pumpkin patch proprietors. 

                                          

And I end with this infectious smile...

 Doesn't she just make you want to smile too?!

Where to Begin

I've been mulling over this for days...What should I share here? How to's of the the things I enjoy, the latest activities of the family, recipes, thoughts and musings... so much to choose from. I love all of those things. But I need to keep it simple. That's kind of hard when as I type I am also answering questions about perimeter and area for our eleven year old. My thoughts scatter. Yet, this is life.  

Today it can seem like we seldom have 15 minutes to devote to one task. That is unless you rise early, or stay up late. We can all lament the hurried schedules, undone chores, the never ending question of "What's for supper?" and more. That doesn't really get us anywhere does it? So let's sit down, breathe deep...let it out slowly. And focus. What are we doing? Why are we doing it? And how do we do it better? When our brains get a moment to settle amid the rush of life, I think we all ponder those questions.

"How do you spell squirrel?"  "S-q-u-i-r-r-e-l." Yes, I am typing and homeschooling...) Multi-tasking is a necessary skill for moms, and most women in general (and some men!). But too much of it, and your speech gets crazy and so do you! So here, lets enjoy the gifts of life...simply. And glorify the One who gave it all to us by reaching up for the peace, thankfulness and joy we can pass along to others, even in the midst of busyness and uncertainty.