Look at her...ALL THE WAY AWAY from us. ;) (JM was right down there with her btw)
I love how she turned around and looked at me, then came running back.
Friday, May 23, 2008
Having fun!
Playing at the ballfield - yes some more.
Look at her...ALL THE WAY AWAY from us. ;) (JM was right down there with her btw)
I love how she turned around and looked at me, then came running back.
Look at her...ALL THE WAY AWAY from us. ;) (JM was right down there with her btw)
I love how she turned around and looked at me, then came running back.
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Why Homeschooling? Part 3
Homeschooling is a lifestyle. Along with that comes many things that are both GOOD and BAD. Many things that I try to explain to people who are not homeschooling, and these things are the reasons why I will never say that someone else should homeschool. It's very much something each family must decide for themselves. I do, however, tell people that it's not that hard or difficult. :)
Things I LOVE:
*We can vacation during any month of the year. Especially nice in planning Disney vacations.
*Exposure to less germs. It doesn't mean we don't get sick (just read the archives of 2008 where we spent so many weeks with someone sick in the house). But it means that we are less likely to catch every strep throat, cold, and stomach bug going around.
*We can choose which weeks/months are best for schooling and which we want to take off. Like for our family, we start during the summer months when it is HOT. We then, because December is so busy, take most of December off. Works nice for our family.
*We can tailor the curriculum to meet each child's needs. We can go at their pace. We know, pretty much immediately, when a child doesn't understand or needs more help. In the same regard, we can follow an interest easily such as when the boys were obsessed with all things Pirates. We turned it into a unit study where we learned geography, history, study of "fact vs. fiction," tall tales, science, and math.
*We can do lots of hand on activities related to school work.
*We can do some activities during the day, like karate, speech therapy, occupational therapy, piano lessons, etc. Which then leaves our evenings for other things like sports, family time, dinner at the table, and church activities.
*We have the ability to introduce only those aspects of science we are comfortable introducing the kids to at this point (we're teaching them creationism, and later, when we feel that their religious beliefs are solid enough we'll talk about Darwinism).
*We can sort of keep them from learning about things too early, things we would rather them not know at this point. Of course, as we learned this year, the kids at church can and do teach them a lot.
*We can teach them a more in depth look at certain subjects - like the Civil War and all the reasons it was fought. We can look at the history books written from the point of view of those who lost a war (it's often VERY enlightening). We can choose curriculum that has a biblical point of view. We were able to study China while waiting for Travel Approval to get Katie. The boys, as a result, have a deep love and respect for China and it's people.
*I am able to choose whether or not we want JM's work to be on a computer, how much he must write out, and can work with him on things he struggles with. We can build therapy into any curriculum choice as well.
The Bad
*I get zero break from the kids. They are always around. The house is always messy. I must take them everywhere with me.
*They are invited to less birthday parties than my friends with kids in traditional school environments.
*If they have not learned something, it is solely on myself. No one to blame but ourselves.
*Constantly second guessing ourselves over every decision.
*It's expensive to make sure they are involved in enough to stimulate their abilities, their friendships, and such.
*Lots of time spent sitting and waiting on them to finish a class or an activity on a field trip. Lots of time.
*Having to make sure that when they are out in public during a school day, that we are circumspect. While homeschooling is accepted here, you never know when someone will say something.
*Constantly feeling like you have to defend your choices.
*Did I mention the TIME involved? It's a huge commitment.
*We have to make decisions on curriculum, therapy, and other things with only the guidance of internet and therapists. We recognize we do not have the schooling in teaching to correct certain disabilities. Luckily, our cover school has a special ed instructor to help parents evaluate their choices and help them out.
Yes, we could have many of these things from both good and bad list if they were in traditional school environments. But one thing was clear very early on, JM is an active learner. He loves to move. I have vivid memories of him rolling around on the floor while I was reading a book to him. I thought he was not listening, but he was.
There are quite a few other things, and if you have a specific question please ask. Also know that I completely understand WHY some choose not to homeschool. I honestly believe it's not for everyone. I believe it is what is currently best for our family at this point in time. Will it be best for our family later? I don't know. We evaluate every year for the next year. If the kids at some point ASK to go to school, we will investigate that with them and let them go. So far, JM has talked to his friends and seen enough of school to think that he's currently happy where he is!
There are good things about public schools and private schools. For our family and situation we looked at the options and chose what we felt was best for our kids.
Things I LOVE:
*We can vacation during any month of the year. Especially nice in planning Disney vacations.
*Exposure to less germs. It doesn't mean we don't get sick (just read the archives of 2008 where we spent so many weeks with someone sick in the house). But it means that we are less likely to catch every strep throat, cold, and stomach bug going around.
*We can choose which weeks/months are best for schooling and which we want to take off. Like for our family, we start during the summer months when it is HOT. We then, because December is so busy, take most of December off. Works nice for our family.
*We can tailor the curriculum to meet each child's needs. We can go at their pace. We know, pretty much immediately, when a child doesn't understand or needs more help. In the same regard, we can follow an interest easily such as when the boys were obsessed with all things Pirates. We turned it into a unit study where we learned geography, history, study of "fact vs. fiction," tall tales, science, and math.
*We can do lots of hand on activities related to school work.
*We can do some activities during the day, like karate, speech therapy, occupational therapy, piano lessons, etc. Which then leaves our evenings for other things like sports, family time, dinner at the table, and church activities.
*We have the ability to introduce only those aspects of science we are comfortable introducing the kids to at this point (we're teaching them creationism, and later, when we feel that their religious beliefs are solid enough we'll talk about Darwinism).
*We can sort of keep them from learning about things too early, things we would rather them not know at this point. Of course, as we learned this year, the kids at church can and do teach them a lot.
*We can teach them a more in depth look at certain subjects - like the Civil War and all the reasons it was fought. We can look at the history books written from the point of view of those who lost a war (it's often VERY enlightening). We can choose curriculum that has a biblical point of view. We were able to study China while waiting for Travel Approval to get Katie. The boys, as a result, have a deep love and respect for China and it's people.
*I am able to choose whether or not we want JM's work to be on a computer, how much he must write out, and can work with him on things he struggles with. We can build therapy into any curriculum choice as well.
The Bad
*I get zero break from the kids. They are always around. The house is always messy. I must take them everywhere with me.
*They are invited to less birthday parties than my friends with kids in traditional school environments.
*If they have not learned something, it is solely on myself. No one to blame but ourselves.
*Constantly second guessing ourselves over every decision.
*It's expensive to make sure they are involved in enough to stimulate their abilities, their friendships, and such.
*Lots of time spent sitting and waiting on them to finish a class or an activity on a field trip. Lots of time.
*Having to make sure that when they are out in public during a school day, that we are circumspect. While homeschooling is accepted here, you never know when someone will say something.
*Constantly feeling like you have to defend your choices.
*Did I mention the TIME involved? It's a huge commitment.
*We have to make decisions on curriculum, therapy, and other things with only the guidance of internet and therapists. We recognize we do not have the schooling in teaching to correct certain disabilities. Luckily, our cover school has a special ed instructor to help parents evaluate their choices and help them out.
Yes, we could have many of these things from both good and bad list if they were in traditional school environments. But one thing was clear very early on, JM is an active learner. He loves to move. I have vivid memories of him rolling around on the floor while I was reading a book to him. I thought he was not listening, but he was.
There are quite a few other things, and if you have a specific question please ask. Also know that I completely understand WHY some choose not to homeschool. I honestly believe it's not for everyone. I believe it is what is currently best for our family at this point in time. Will it be best for our family later? I don't know. We evaluate every year for the next year. If the kids at some point ASK to go to school, we will investigate that with them and let them go. So far, JM has talked to his friends and seen enough of school to think that he's currently happy where he is!
There are good things about public schools and private schools. For our family and situation we looked at the options and chose what we felt was best for our kids.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
A photo break!
Katie and Samuel
NOTICE, Samuel got his hair cut! He asked for it to be buzzed, and I finally complied. It took him asking for 6 months for me to agree. I loved his shaggy mop of curls. But with his newfound independence, he wasn't washing the hair as good as we would all like for him to do.
For the record, I do believe his eyelashes are longer than his hair now.
NOTICE, Samuel got his hair cut! He asked for it to be buzzed, and I finally complied. It took him asking for 6 months for me to agree. I loved his shaggy mop of curls. But with his newfound independence, he wasn't washing the hair as good as we would all like for him to do.
For the record, I do believe his eyelashes are longer than his hair now.
Why Homeschooling? Part 2
So, what were the questions and answers?
1. What about socialization? This was truly scary for me as I am not a great person to seek out others and do the playgroup thing. We had JM in sports, church activities, and the cover school had a "co-op" class one day a week. In talking with other homeschooling families, I learned that there were lots of opportunities available. I also read online about socialization and how it occurs in traditional schools. I had to adjust my thinking slightly as I was thinking "socialization = friendships and playing" and not the "socialization = how to function in a classroom and society." Both are needed, and homeschooling families can teach both. I still agree with my friends who are teachers that children DO socialize with other kids in school, but I also agree with the homeschooling world that says that socialization in schools is not "real world" socialization and that children who are homeschooled learn how to operate in the world and learn how to interact with people of all ages. Read the definition of socialization. My goal, as a parent, is to train my child how to act in the world and in society. Now, I'm not going to say which way is better, but do sit and think about the training your child(ren) get in how to act in society. Where does that happen? Dh and I realized that mainly how JM was learning to act came from us, from church, and from experiencing life as we took him places. Yes, he could learn some of that from school. Yes, it's easier to make friends at school - same age friends. Yes, traditional school environments do teach children skill as well, but I believe we could teach those as well (and through activities like classes at a museum, classes at cover school, etc.).
4-5 years later, I sort of laugh about this fear of ours now. Everyone we meet is surprised that JM is homeschooled, and does not realize it until we say something. However, I do get quite a few comments from people that tell me that he is very well behaved. Dh, who teaches a church class with boys that are JM's age, has mentioned that he does seem a little more naive in some regards. JM doesn't know all the curse words, nor does he care about certain clothing styles or hair styles. He doesn't know the latest and greatest fad. We have both observed that he plays happily with children who are older and younger than him.
2. What about friends? Where would JM make friends? Well, Dh and I both wanted him to make his best friends from those at church. Our church, however, had few kids going to the elementary school we were zoned for. JM, is fairly outgoing, and talks to just about anyone. We figured that going to church, playing sports, and participating in "Friday Classes" would fuel enough "friendship possiblities" for him. We also realized that we are limiting his pool of friends to those with similar values and family structures as ourselves. This, we recognized, had both pros and cons to it. The pros were mainly for early elementary ages where we knew he would not be introduced to things we didn't approve of early on. Cons were that we would have to seek out opportunities for him to develop relationships with families that are different from us. We also realized that if we controlled his friends, then it was entirely possible he'd never have to learn how to deal with teasing, or bullies, or confrontational people, or that sometimes you just don't plain like another person.
Excuse me while I laugh for a few minutes. This one was totally unfounded, and honestly, JM has dealt with all of the above and more. He seems to make friends easily. We have noticed, however, that there is a certain awkwardness to his social skills that is not present even in our homeschool friends' kids. It's more of a "not reading body language clues" kind of awkward. I do think, if he were in a traditional school environment that he would be teased more and have less friends.
3. How will he learn "classroom behaviors" and other things you learn in school that are considered "general knowledge" type of things? This was a little hard for me to understand WHY this would be important. But, honestly, he does need to know that you raise your hand to ask a question or make a comment. He needs to learn that you can't go to the bathroom just whenever you feel like it. He also needed to learn that sometimes he does have to wait for others to finish their own projects before the class can move on. All sorts of things he needed to learn! Well, we addressed this through the science museum classes, Sunday School, and co-op classes.
No issues here. :) It was much easier to teach than I thought.
4. How do we make sure he learns all he is supposed to learn? This is probably the one that keeps me up the most at night. I worry he's not learning enough, or I'm forgetting something important. But, as I learned more about curriculum I learned that he WILL learn quite a bit. I also learned that we have to have him tested to make sure he is on level with other kids in our state. Teaching a child to read, in my opinion, is the greatest responsibility. The most frightening thing I have ever undertaken.
Let's just say achievement tests keep us honest and tell us quite clearly what he does and does NOT know. ;) I still stay up at night worried about this, but I'm dealing with it better and better. I'm not so worried about Samuel though as I have seen how well JM has done with things.
5. But what about the separation of Mommy and Teacher, and the fact that struggles will ensue in trying to get him to do the work? Much like parenting, I have a million theories that will help this, none have worked yet. However, we do fight less than I thought we would. He understands that this is "learning work" and he must do it. If he does not, then he would be in school and having to do this in school. He knows that we have tests and oversight making sure he IS learning what he is supposed to be learning.
Some days it's a good thing Dh can come home and take over in the evening. Samuel and I are at odds more than JM and I ever were. Doing schoolwork at night is NOT outside the realm of possibilities either.
6. But what about CALCULUS? Seriously, this was a question I was asked when I mentioned I was homeschooling JM for Kindergarten! I told everyone then, and tell them now when I get that question. I have a BS degree in Math. I love calculus. I have no qualms teaching that to him, but other subjects? Well, that is why I will seek out other classes for people who love that subject to teach him. However, that is WAY down the road, and we're not even sure if we will be homeschooling through high school or not.
I fear teaching the kids biology/dissection, physics, and English composition/grammar/essay writing...oh and finding the meanings in classic literature. Math? Math should be easy to teach for me. This next year, JM is taking a class called "Young Authors" where he will learn about writing a book and be required to write, illustrate, and "publish" a book. I'm hoping this will help him learn and remember his grammar better. If not, then we will send him to one of the many homeschool classes on "grammar and English" enrichment taught at the local community college.
7. Well, what about high school? If we choose to homeschool through high school, then we will have to work closely with the cover school. JM will take any classes from others that I can not teach him, or find a good curriculum for him. There are homeschool leagues for all sports. Homeschoolers participate in all academic team competitions, they have orchestra, they have drama teams, they have yearbooks, senior trips, newspapers, student councils, and yes...even Prom. ;)
This is all still true, and Dh has now come to realize how much is readily out there for homeschoolers now.
If you have ANY question you would like me to address, please ask. :) I will be happy to try and answer, or try and find the answer.
1. What about socialization? This was truly scary for me as I am not a great person to seek out others and do the playgroup thing. We had JM in sports, church activities, and the cover school had a "co-op" class one day a week. In talking with other homeschooling families, I learned that there were lots of opportunities available. I also read online about socialization and how it occurs in traditional schools. I had to adjust my thinking slightly as I was thinking "socialization = friendships and playing" and not the "socialization = how to function in a classroom and society." Both are needed, and homeschooling families can teach both. I still agree with my friends who are teachers that children DO socialize with other kids in school, but I also agree with the homeschooling world that says that socialization in schools is not "real world" socialization and that children who are homeschooled learn how to operate in the world and learn how to interact with people of all ages. Read the definition of socialization. My goal, as a parent, is to train my child how to act in the world and in society. Now, I'm not going to say which way is better, but do sit and think about the training your child(ren) get in how to act in society. Where does that happen? Dh and I realized that mainly how JM was learning to act came from us, from church, and from experiencing life as we took him places. Yes, he could learn some of that from school. Yes, it's easier to make friends at school - same age friends. Yes, traditional school environments do teach children skill as well, but I believe we could teach those as well (and through activities like classes at a museum, classes at cover school, etc.).
4-5 years later, I sort of laugh about this fear of ours now. Everyone we meet is surprised that JM is homeschooled, and does not realize it until we say something. However, I do get quite a few comments from people that tell me that he is very well behaved. Dh, who teaches a church class with boys that are JM's age, has mentioned that he does seem a little more naive in some regards. JM doesn't know all the curse words, nor does he care about certain clothing styles or hair styles. He doesn't know the latest and greatest fad. We have both observed that he plays happily with children who are older and younger than him.
2. What about friends? Where would JM make friends? Well, Dh and I both wanted him to make his best friends from those at church. Our church, however, had few kids going to the elementary school we were zoned for. JM, is fairly outgoing, and talks to just about anyone. We figured that going to church, playing sports, and participating in "Friday Classes" would fuel enough "friendship possiblities" for him. We also realized that we are limiting his pool of friends to those with similar values and family structures as ourselves. This, we recognized, had both pros and cons to it. The pros were mainly for early elementary ages where we knew he would not be introduced to things we didn't approve of early on. Cons were that we would have to seek out opportunities for him to develop relationships with families that are different from us. We also realized that if we controlled his friends, then it was entirely possible he'd never have to learn how to deal with teasing, or bullies, or confrontational people, or that sometimes you just don't plain like another person.
Excuse me while I laugh for a few minutes. This one was totally unfounded, and honestly, JM has dealt with all of the above and more. He seems to make friends easily. We have noticed, however, that there is a certain awkwardness to his social skills that is not present even in our homeschool friends' kids. It's more of a "not reading body language clues" kind of awkward. I do think, if he were in a traditional school environment that he would be teased more and have less friends.
3. How will he learn "classroom behaviors" and other things you learn in school that are considered "general knowledge" type of things? This was a little hard for me to understand WHY this would be important. But, honestly, he does need to know that you raise your hand to ask a question or make a comment. He needs to learn that you can't go to the bathroom just whenever you feel like it. He also needed to learn that sometimes he does have to wait for others to finish their own projects before the class can move on. All sorts of things he needed to learn! Well, we addressed this through the science museum classes, Sunday School, and co-op classes.
No issues here. :) It was much easier to teach than I thought.
4. How do we make sure he learns all he is supposed to learn? This is probably the one that keeps me up the most at night. I worry he's not learning enough, or I'm forgetting something important. But, as I learned more about curriculum I learned that he WILL learn quite a bit. I also learned that we have to have him tested to make sure he is on level with other kids in our state. Teaching a child to read, in my opinion, is the greatest responsibility. The most frightening thing I have ever undertaken.
Let's just say achievement tests keep us honest and tell us quite clearly what he does and does NOT know. ;) I still stay up at night worried about this, but I'm dealing with it better and better. I'm not so worried about Samuel though as I have seen how well JM has done with things.
5. But what about the separation of Mommy and Teacher, and the fact that struggles will ensue in trying to get him to do the work? Much like parenting, I have a million theories that will help this, none have worked yet. However, we do fight less than I thought we would. He understands that this is "learning work" and he must do it. If he does not, then he would be in school and having to do this in school. He knows that we have tests and oversight making sure he IS learning what he is supposed to be learning.
Some days it's a good thing Dh can come home and take over in the evening. Samuel and I are at odds more than JM and I ever were. Doing schoolwork at night is NOT outside the realm of possibilities either.
6. But what about CALCULUS? Seriously, this was a question I was asked when I mentioned I was homeschooling JM for Kindergarten! I told everyone then, and tell them now when I get that question. I have a BS degree in Math. I love calculus. I have no qualms teaching that to him, but other subjects? Well, that is why I will seek out other classes for people who love that subject to teach him. However, that is WAY down the road, and we're not even sure if we will be homeschooling through high school or not.
I fear teaching the kids biology/dissection, physics, and English composition/grammar/essay writing...oh and finding the meanings in classic literature. Math? Math should be easy to teach for me. This next year, JM is taking a class called "Young Authors" where he will learn about writing a book and be required to write, illustrate, and "publish" a book. I'm hoping this will help him learn and remember his grammar better. If not, then we will send him to one of the many homeschool classes on "grammar and English" enrichment taught at the local community college.
7. Well, what about high school? If we choose to homeschool through high school, then we will have to work closely with the cover school. JM will take any classes from others that I can not teach him, or find a good curriculum for him. There are homeschool leagues for all sports. Homeschoolers participate in all academic team competitions, they have orchestra, they have drama teams, they have yearbooks, senior trips, newspapers, student councils, and yes...even Prom. ;)
This is all still true, and Dh has now come to realize how much is readily out there for homeschoolers now.
If you have ANY question you would like me to address, please ask. :) I will be happy to try and answer, or try and find the answer.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Why Homeschooling? Part 1
Both Dh and I grew up going to public schools, and yes we both got good educations from them. There are "lapses" in certain things, but that might have been more in part to our not learning something rather it not being presented. However, we both noticed that we were not challenged (okay I think I was, but Dh says he was not) enough to learn how to study and not struggle in college. We also saw, through my younger brother, how things were changing in the school systems as well.
When we had JM, I had never even heard of homeschooling. I had no idea such a thing existed, and Dh and I were discussing private schooling and how to afford it. We also both knew that not all private schools are equal. Someone on an internet forum mentioned homeschooling, and I questioned them and started learning. All while JM was a baby! We had years to go, but I knew then that wanted to be an "at home" Mom to the kids if possible, and I knew we had to figure something out for schooling. I mentioned it to Dh, and he brushed it off thinking it was something "weird" people did.
I, meanwhile, am finally home with JM and researching more and more about this strange phenomenon called homeschooling. JM is 3, and I'm doing quite a bit of teaching him already. We learn about dinosaurs, space, trains, and anything that catches his eye. Like Bob the Builder, which spurred a long obsession with tractors. Dh still thinks private school is best and wants to do that for school and I want to at least try homeschooling, so we compromise on preschool. I "homeschool" 3 days a week, and send JM to preschool 2 days a week. At the beginning of preschool JM knew all his letters, and was working on sounds the letters make. His preschool class was working on learning the names of letters. JM was doing basic addition, his class was working on numbers. We also saw, that JM wass emotionally not mature enough for school. I developed a good relationship with his teacher, and have a good friend who is a Kindergarten teacher herself. I learned, and told Dh, what academics are covered in Kindergarten where we live. I also learned more about the public school and private school options we could explore. I networked with anyone I could talk to to find homeschooling Moms to find out about which coverschools would be a good option for us!
In February of JM's preschool year (ummm, that would be 2003? 2004?), his teacher asked me what my plans were for the next year. I told her I was considering homeschooling, and she sighed a HUGE sigh of relief. See, she was a special ed teacher prior to becoming a SAHM who worked at the preschool 2 mornings a week. She told me that JM was academically ready for Kindergarten (well, actually he was ready for 1st grade), but that maturity wise he would really struggle. She was concerned because in a traditional classroom environment he would be punished quite a bit for his hyperactivity and would come to hate going to school. As it was, she had already tried to stay at his level academically and was struggling to teach to him AND a class. JM was already telling me he disliked going to preschool because he was always in trouble for talking to his friends in class. The teacher confirmed that he just breezed through everything she gave him, and being bored and done with work would disrupt things in the classroom. She said he was a good kid, but he was going to need to be really challenged in a classroom. She knew which school we were zoned for, and knew it was already overcrowded and did not recommend that direction.
As Dh and I knew we could not afford private school, and the public school where we were was not really all that great (decent, just a little overcrowded) we finally had a good discussion about homeschooling. Dh had his questions about it, had his concerns, and was ready to listen to me. He asked that I find a cover school that we would use, and then find out everything I could that I think he would want to know.
I did. I started at this one site - A to Z Home's Cool website. It is truly a wealth of information, possibly too much. I had also found a great cover school that I knew Dh would like. In addition to this, I investigated a "hybrid" school that has private school 3 days a week and homeschooling 2 days a week (we didn't choose it because they stressed Kindergarten kids sitting at desks and that was NOT a good fit for JM). I talked to people I knew and trusted who had children going to the public school we would be sending JM to. I also talked to people who had kids going to the private Kindergarten at the preschool we were sending JM (we could afford the Kindergarten there). I also knew I had Samuel at home, and he was still really little. After I finally found some homeschooling Moms to talk with, I started looking at curriculum and tried NOT to become overwhelmed.
I literally spent hours online researching things.
When we had JM, I had never even heard of homeschooling. I had no idea such a thing existed, and Dh and I were discussing private schooling and how to afford it. We also both knew that not all private schools are equal. Someone on an internet forum mentioned homeschooling, and I questioned them and started learning. All while JM was a baby! We had years to go, but I knew then that wanted to be an "at home" Mom to the kids if possible, and I knew we had to figure something out for schooling. I mentioned it to Dh, and he brushed it off thinking it was something "weird" people did.
I, meanwhile, am finally home with JM and researching more and more about this strange phenomenon called homeschooling. JM is 3, and I'm doing quite a bit of teaching him already. We learn about dinosaurs, space, trains, and anything that catches his eye. Like Bob the Builder, which spurred a long obsession with tractors. Dh still thinks private school is best and wants to do that for school and I want to at least try homeschooling, so we compromise on preschool. I "homeschool" 3 days a week, and send JM to preschool 2 days a week. At the beginning of preschool JM knew all his letters, and was working on sounds the letters make. His preschool class was working on learning the names of letters. JM was doing basic addition, his class was working on numbers. We also saw, that JM wass emotionally not mature enough for school. I developed a good relationship with his teacher, and have a good friend who is a Kindergarten teacher herself. I learned, and told Dh, what academics are covered in Kindergarten where we live. I also learned more about the public school and private school options we could explore. I networked with anyone I could talk to to find homeschooling Moms to find out about which coverschools would be a good option for us!
In February of JM's preschool year (ummm, that would be 2003? 2004?), his teacher asked me what my plans were for the next year. I told her I was considering homeschooling, and she sighed a HUGE sigh of relief. See, she was a special ed teacher prior to becoming a SAHM who worked at the preschool 2 mornings a week. She told me that JM was academically ready for Kindergarten (well, actually he was ready for 1st grade), but that maturity wise he would really struggle. She was concerned because in a traditional classroom environment he would be punished quite a bit for his hyperactivity and would come to hate going to school. As it was, she had already tried to stay at his level academically and was struggling to teach to him AND a class. JM was already telling me he disliked going to preschool because he was always in trouble for talking to his friends in class. The teacher confirmed that he just breezed through everything she gave him, and being bored and done with work would disrupt things in the classroom. She said he was a good kid, but he was going to need to be really challenged in a classroom. She knew which school we were zoned for, and knew it was already overcrowded and did not recommend that direction.
As Dh and I knew we could not afford private school, and the public school where we were was not really all that great (decent, just a little overcrowded) we finally had a good discussion about homeschooling. Dh had his questions about it, had his concerns, and was ready to listen to me. He asked that I find a cover school that we would use, and then find out everything I could that I think he would want to know.
I did. I started at this one site - A to Z Home's Cool website. It is truly a wealth of information, possibly too much. I had also found a great cover school that I knew Dh would like. In addition to this, I investigated a "hybrid" school that has private school 3 days a week and homeschooling 2 days a week (we didn't choose it because they stressed Kindergarten kids sitting at desks and that was NOT a good fit for JM). I talked to people I knew and trusted who had children going to the public school we would be sending JM to. I also talked to people who had kids going to the private Kindergarten at the preschool we were sending JM (we could afford the Kindergarten there). I also knew I had Samuel at home, and he was still really little. After I finally found some homeschooling Moms to talk with, I started looking at curriculum and tried NOT to become overwhelmed.
I literally spent hours online researching things.
Monday, May 19, 2008
In keeping with the coca-cola theme
Katie learned "mine" this past week.
She picks up my Dr. Pepper cans and says "Mine!" She's again, never had any, but thinks it's got to be good if Mommy drinks it all the time.
She picks up my Dr. Pepper cans and says "Mine!" She's again, never had any, but thinks it's got to be good if Mommy drinks it all the time.
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Someone made a comment
It was something small, and while I do like to think prior to Katie I would have been offended by it, I'm not sure how offended I would have been. It was a little rude, and it was racist in that the person who made the comment took a physical characteristic of a Chinese person and applied it in an "across the board" kind of way. It was not meant as mean, or mean spirited...but it was a remark made regarding a physical characteristic of a Chinese person. It stung.
The parents made the comment that because their daughter had been squinting a lot lately due to a physical ailment that when she started talking it might be Chinese.
I know they were joking as the Mom told us the context and was laughing about it. But it still stung. It was a reminder of the comments we will get for years to come about Katie. They will come from children and adults. "Does she speak English? Does she speak Chinese? Are you her mother?" I've gotten some already, and luckily Katie is young enough to not notice. She's oblivious. Luckily as my least favorite questions have been asked in her presence, "How much did she cost?" Or "Isn't it expensive to adopt from China?" Yes it is. I don't elaborate, but if they ask how much, I typically reply, about the same as a new car.
That's probably not a good answer, but it does make them OPEN their eyes. They routinely buy new cars, think nothing of it...but to adopt a child it is expensive? I personally find that all the fees we paid to various agencies, travel, and governmental entities were all well worth it. I ALWAYS mention that many of the expenses were for the US government portion as we had to pay for fingerprints, for background checks, for papers to be notarized, authenticated (in triplicate), and had to pay shipping costs to each and every place a paper came from or was going to! Then, we had to pay for a 2 week trip to China AT THE LAST MINUTE with about 1.5 weeks notice! By this point, people are beginning to understand that YES it is expensive, but the fees for the adoption agencies and the in-country fees to the orphanage and such are NOT expensive!
The parents made the comment that because their daughter had been squinting a lot lately due to a physical ailment that when she started talking it might be Chinese.
I know they were joking as the Mom told us the context and was laughing about it. But it still stung. It was a reminder of the comments we will get for years to come about Katie. They will come from children and adults. "Does she speak English? Does she speak Chinese? Are you her mother?" I've gotten some already, and luckily Katie is young enough to not notice. She's oblivious. Luckily as my least favorite questions have been asked in her presence, "How much did she cost?" Or "Isn't it expensive to adopt from China?" Yes it is. I don't elaborate, but if they ask how much, I typically reply, about the same as a new car.
That's probably not a good answer, but it does make them OPEN their eyes. They routinely buy new cars, think nothing of it...but to adopt a child it is expensive? I personally find that all the fees we paid to various agencies, travel, and governmental entities were all well worth it. I ALWAYS mention that many of the expenses were for the US government portion as we had to pay for fingerprints, for background checks, for papers to be notarized, authenticated (in triplicate), and had to pay shipping costs to each and every place a paper came from or was going to! Then, we had to pay for a 2 week trip to China AT THE LAST MINUTE with about 1.5 weeks notice! By this point, people are beginning to understand that YES it is expensive, but the fees for the adoption agencies and the in-country fees to the orphanage and such are NOT expensive!
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Playing at a playground
Being the nice and wonderful parents that we are, we took the kids to play on a nearby large playground and park. Lovely place, nice and shady, not so many other kids around this time of year.
Katie is still a little wary around dogs, but she loves to point to them. She gets so excited to see them, but does NOT want to get close enough to pet them. Although, at the ball field she has come very close. She'll reach out her hand and get within centimeters before pulling it back.
After our fun-filled time watching the kids on the playground, we opted for a quick dinner out. The kids begged to sit outside on the patio, we caved.
I realize that there are few photos of the boys here, but honestly they were mainly blurs on the playground and we have to stick right by Katie as she's a little more adventurous than her abilities allow her to be. ;)
Katie is still a little wary around dogs, but she loves to point to them. She gets so excited to see them, but does NOT want to get close enough to pet them. Although, at the ball field she has come very close. She'll reach out her hand and get within centimeters before pulling it back.
After our fun-filled time watching the kids on the playground, we opted for a quick dinner out. The kids begged to sit outside on the patio, we caved.
I realize that there are few photos of the boys here, but honestly they were mainly blurs on the playground and we have to stick right by Katie as she's a little more adventurous than her abilities allow her to be. ;)
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Homeschooling update...
You did know we homeschool didn't you? Yeah, I know, we're a little weird like that. I'll post one day about the struggle to decide to homeschool, why we chose this lifestyle, what I love about it, what I dislike about it, and what our future plans are (hint, it's one year at a time). But for now, here's our update:
It's at the end of another school year for us, and we're deciding on what to do for next year. We did decide to homeschool next year with JM officially 4th grade and Samuel officially Kindergarten. We will start with curriculum and our "summer schedule" on June 1st. I think we have curriculum narrowed down, and it's not quite easy to follow. It's not streamlined, but I think it's what is going to work out best for us. I might be over-estimating my abilities though! LOL
JM is going to do 5th grade Switched on Schoolhouse for Bible, Science, and Language Arts. He'll do 4th grade Horizons Penmanship. For Math, we're going to start with Horizons Math 4 book 2 (skim through to make sure he learned all he was supposed to this year), then we'll do Horizons Math 5. We're also going to have him do Switched on Schoolhouse State History. :)
Samuel is going to do Horizons Math 1, finish up Horizons Language Arts K and start Horizons Language Arts 1. He'll also do Horizons Penmanship 1, Horizons Spelling 1. Science will be taken care of with our science museum, watching Magic Schoolbus, and participating in science experiments here with JM. Bible will be done using Sonlight's Core 1 Bible suggestion (we used it with JM at the same age).
Notice what is missing from both? History and Geography. This is where I might be a little crazy. We're going to do Sonlight Core 1+2 for both boys. JM will have the most advanced set of books that go with it to read alone, and I already have all the books for Samuel to read alone(from when JM did Core 1). Yes, JM did Core 1 already, but it was a few years ago and I think he'll benefit from going back over that early History.
Okay, why Sonlight Core 1+2? Isn't that 1st and 2nd grade level? JM is in 4th? Well, yes, it's sort of 1st and 2nd grade level. But Sonlight is not tied strictly to grade levels. 4th grade is the "top end" of students using Sonlight Core 1+2, as Kindergarten is bottom end. This means, Samuel is going to need a little "help" understanding, and JM will need a little "extra work" to make it a full curriculum (see above...I think he'll get plenty).
Basically, this means, that every day Dh or I will be reading a nice literary book to the boys that pertains to history or geography. They will then read their own books that relate to that time frame as well. We'll learn LOTS of geography this year - all states in US, provinces in Canada, over 200 countries, all continents, oceans, and planets. :) Samuel will need help writing (he probably won't be). JM will be doing it fully.
What about 4th grade being "Intro to American History?" The beauty of homeschooling is that we can pick and choose which part of history we're going to cover in each year. JM has already been introduced to some early American History, and with our vacation to DC this year (and Williamsburg as well), he'll get a little more. But the plan is, if we homeschool the following year, he'll do a more in-depth American History study. We might even do Core 3 for both boys that year...carrying on into Core 4....and so forth. :) Depends on how it goes.
I can always change my mind part way through the year and start him on American History if I feel like I should. I have a set of books to start it if I want to.
confusing? perhaps a little?
OH, and of course we'll continue with the following "daytime" activities during the week:
Karate - it's a homeschooling class during the day (LOVE Sensei)
Friday Classes - offered through our cover school, Samuel will go to Kindergarten and JM will have his plethora of classes including Spanish 2.
Homeschool Science Classes at the science museum (at least I hope they offer these again)
Piano lessons - going to see if I can add Samuel in
I've considered other music classes as it's almost time for JM to choose an instrument to play in an orchestra/band if he would like to. I think 5th grade is when it would start. Samuel might take the chorus class. I don't know though. I would love an art class for both. I might talk to a friend about those.
It's at the end of another school year for us, and we're deciding on what to do for next year. We did decide to homeschool next year with JM officially 4th grade and Samuel officially Kindergarten. We will start with curriculum and our "summer schedule" on June 1st. I think we have curriculum narrowed down, and it's not quite easy to follow. It's not streamlined, but I think it's what is going to work out best for us. I might be over-estimating my abilities though! LOL
JM is going to do 5th grade Switched on Schoolhouse for Bible, Science, and Language Arts. He'll do 4th grade Horizons Penmanship. For Math, we're going to start with Horizons Math 4 book 2 (skim through to make sure he learned all he was supposed to this year), then we'll do Horizons Math 5. We're also going to have him do Switched on Schoolhouse State History. :)
Samuel is going to do Horizons Math 1, finish up Horizons Language Arts K and start Horizons Language Arts 1. He'll also do Horizons Penmanship 1, Horizons Spelling 1. Science will be taken care of with our science museum, watching Magic Schoolbus, and participating in science experiments here with JM. Bible will be done using Sonlight's Core 1 Bible suggestion (we used it with JM at the same age).
Notice what is missing from both? History and Geography. This is where I might be a little crazy. We're going to do Sonlight Core 1+2 for both boys. JM will have the most advanced set of books that go with it to read alone, and I already have all the books for Samuel to read alone(from when JM did Core 1). Yes, JM did Core 1 already, but it was a few years ago and I think he'll benefit from going back over that early History.
Okay, why Sonlight Core 1+2? Isn't that 1st and 2nd grade level? JM is in 4th? Well, yes, it's sort of 1st and 2nd grade level. But Sonlight is not tied strictly to grade levels. 4th grade is the "top end" of students using Sonlight Core 1+2, as Kindergarten is bottom end. This means, Samuel is going to need a little "help" understanding, and JM will need a little "extra work" to make it a full curriculum (see above...I think he'll get plenty).
Basically, this means, that every day Dh or I will be reading a nice literary book to the boys that pertains to history or geography. They will then read their own books that relate to that time frame as well. We'll learn LOTS of geography this year - all states in US, provinces in Canada, over 200 countries, all continents, oceans, and planets. :) Samuel will need help writing (he probably won't be). JM will be doing it fully.
What about 4th grade being "Intro to American History?" The beauty of homeschooling is that we can pick and choose which part of history we're going to cover in each year. JM has already been introduced to some early American History, and with our vacation to DC this year (and Williamsburg as well), he'll get a little more. But the plan is, if we homeschool the following year, he'll do a more in-depth American History study. We might even do Core 3 for both boys that year...carrying on into Core 4....and so forth. :) Depends on how it goes.
I can always change my mind part way through the year and start him on American History if I feel like I should. I have a set of books to start it if I want to.
confusing? perhaps a little?
OH, and of course we'll continue with the following "daytime" activities during the week:
Karate - it's a homeschooling class during the day (LOVE Sensei)
Friday Classes - offered through our cover school, Samuel will go to Kindergarten and JM will have his plethora of classes including Spanish 2.
Homeschool Science Classes at the science museum (at least I hope they offer these again)
Piano lessons - going to see if I can add Samuel in
I've considered other music classes as it's almost time for JM to choose an instrument to play in an orchestra/band if he would like to. I think 5th grade is when it would start. Samuel might take the chorus class. I don't know though. I would love an art class for both. I might talk to a friend about those.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Earthquake in China
I was as shocked as everyone else to learn about the earthquakes in China. The 7.9 quake was in the province just to the North East of Katie's province of Yunnan. While they felt tremors in Kunming (where she is from), there are no reports of damage.
It is truly a sad situation, but the stories of the bravery of the people of China are truly amazing. What they are dealing with, and how they are hanging in there is nothing short of wonderful. As far as we know (and have heard) the orphanages are all okay, the kids are not in the buildings where the tremors were strongest - some are in tents, some are in vehicles when it rains. Most of the orphanages have not sustained a lot of damage, but they are without electricity which makes washing diapers and clothes harder. So, many are asking for extra money to purchase diapers.
The stories of the schools are the hardest for me. But honestly, this is all just so sad. So incredibly sad. From the cyclone in Burma to earthquakes in China, just so many natural disasters right now.
It is truly a sad situation, but the stories of the bravery of the people of China are truly amazing. What they are dealing with, and how they are hanging in there is nothing short of wonderful. As far as we know (and have heard) the orphanages are all okay, the kids are not in the buildings where the tremors were strongest - some are in tents, some are in vehicles when it rains. Most of the orphanages have not sustained a lot of damage, but they are without electricity which makes washing diapers and clothes harder. So, many are asking for extra money to purchase diapers.
The stories of the schools are the hardest for me. But honestly, this is all just so sad. So incredibly sad. From the cyclone in Burma to earthquakes in China, just so many natural disasters right now.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Katie's First Haircut
Remember that frizzy hair from the Mother's Day post? If not, there's a quick reminder in this post. Anyway, the "Magic Hair Lady" as Dh has dubbed her, came to my house today. She totally spoiled me rotten! She came because we tried to figure out a time for me to get to the salon to do the magical hair straightening thing, and it just was not working out. She offered to come to the house, and after hemming and hawing for a few minutes I took her up on it.
In addition, Iasked pleaded with her to trim up Katie's hair. It was getting quite shaggy and scraggly. It needed just a little bit of "hair magic" to make it all spiffy.
Katie not too sure about this new lady, the towel, and sharp pointy things...
doing better, and clapping for herself for doing go great!
snip...snip
Photo OP! Katie's new spiffy hair that is no longer scraggly and shaggy. Mommy with her frizzy hair that needed major help.
In addition, I
Katie not too sure about this new lady, the towel, and sharp pointy things...
doing better, and clapping for herself for doing go great!
snip...snip
Photo OP! Katie's new spiffy hair that is no longer scraggly and shaggy. Mommy with her frizzy hair that needed major help.
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Photos from my Mother's Day
I truly hope that each of you reading this blog (yes all 2 of you) had a super duper wonderful Mother's Day. I truly hope it was better than mine, because then I know it would have been absolutely wonderfully out of this world perfect! :)
We started at midnight with lots of wonderful family togetherness, enjoying a nice spring storm. Lots of lightening, lots of thunder, lots of rain, and weather sirens going off. Which led to a wonderful night snuggled up with kids in the bed, lots of poking of the eyes, pulling of the hair, jumping up and down playing, and little feet in the back. Nothing like kids in bed with you to remind you of how wonderful being a Mother is. When the alarm went off at 7am, I could not believe it was time to get up already. It felt like it had only been a few minutes since my eyes had closed (possibly had been). It was a rushed morning of getting kids ready for church, and rushing out the door to make it to the "early" service (starts around 8am). I had a commitment to watch the nursery for that service. I felt all of Katie's love for me as she was rather clingy after Dh and I's first date night since her joining our family. She wanted to be held...no she wanted down...wait, she wants to be held. Then Dh showed up in his suit of shining armor (not really, but I swear I saw a halo above his head) and told me to skedaddle to my Women's Sunday School class. I told him that Katie wasn't herself, and might need us to just stay with her again. In Sunday School I was able to eat breakfast (finally), and enjoy the blessed sound of NO whining. One of the members told me she loves reading my blog (*sniff*). That really made my day. As I'm listening to the discussion of Esther and the Boll Weivel stories, I get a message from Dh. He needs me to get Katie so he can sing in the choir. Plus, I get the joy of picking up the boys (it truly is a joy). The minute I get Katie from Dh, she starts crying. Hard. She did not like seeing Daddy leave (and this was the first time she's done this in 3-4 months). I get the boys, and find out that they made some GREAT cards for me (one had chocolate attached to it!). Samuel had made a tissue paper rose, I thought it was for me, but he said it was for Katie. She needed it more because she was crying. (*awwwww*)
I get everyone out to the car without a vomit incident (have I mentioned that sometimes Katie vomits if she cries hard enough? NO? well she does). I drive the car around the parking lot in circles for a little while. Katie continues to cry, and beat herself up with the tissue paper rose. We wait on Daddy. It seems like forever, but eventually he comes out of the doors and hops in the van. Katie cries harder. She cries the entire way home. As it's Mother's Day, I get to choose what we do for the day. I told Dh that I would LOVE to go for a "nature walk" nearby. We change clothes at home, and get everyone loaded in the van. We stop by Sonic for our Mother's Day Lunch. Katie cries and cries. She wants food, then she doesn't, then she does, then she doesn't. Dh and I are both trying to figure out what is wrong.
Amazingly, I've taken no photos until this point. NO PHOTOS PEOPLE! What kind of Mother am I? Katie looked so adorable in her Sunday dress too.
We get to the hiking place, and get everything together. Katie is no longer crying. She didn't eat lunch, but she's not crying. We took the Ergo carrier to try out, and she seemed content hanging out on Dh's back for the walk/hike. I handed the point and shoot camera to JM. As a result, you actually get to see some images of ME and my frizzy hair.
the view from one overlook....
view of the trees from the path...I don't know, ask JM, he took the photo.
do you see the bug? The kids did!
The hike/walk was nice, very nice. The boys said it was boring though they did enjoy themselves (yeah I was confused as well). Katie happily sat there on Dh's back, looked at the sky and trees...then fell asleep. After roughly 1.2 miles (it took us a good hour to walk it too), we were back at the van. Everyone was ready for a break, and a nice quiet relaxing ride down to the shopping center. We had to wake Katie up put her in the van. She screamed the entire way home. We chose to skip the shopping. We gave her some Motrin thinking she might be teething, or have a headache. After all, we had a headache by this point. She went right to sleep. I laid down on the bed and promptly fell asleep as well.
2.5 hours later I woke up. It's roughly 5pm now.
Dh had been shopping, and he tossed a bag of Dove dark chocolates on my lap from afar. He's been married to me long enough to know that I wake up grumpy, especially from a nap. We get up, walk to a friends home for a cookout. Have a lovely time with our friends, Katie is no longer screaming and crying. She's quite happy, though angry about something still. Yes, she can be both happy and angry at the same time. Happy meaning not screaming, laughing and playing. Angry in that she will only do anything on HER terms...including eating her dinner.
At 7:30pm she crawled up on my lap and said "Wan Nigh-nigh." Although the chocolate pie won her attention for staying for a few more minutes. We gathered up our children, and Katie refused to go to Dh. Ah....she's over being mad at me for going on a date with Dh. We promptly put her to bed once home, and she ever so kindly fell asleep for us.
10pm rolls around and our last little munchkin has fallen asleep...on the couch.
I truly DID love this Mother's Day. Not because it was perfect, not because I got wonderful gifts, but because I was able to spend it with my kids and Dh. I got to see friends, talk with my Mom, and live life.
We started at midnight with lots of wonderful family togetherness, enjoying a nice spring storm. Lots of lightening, lots of thunder, lots of rain, and weather sirens going off. Which led to a wonderful night snuggled up with kids in the bed, lots of poking of the eyes, pulling of the hair, jumping up and down playing, and little feet in the back. Nothing like kids in bed with you to remind you of how wonderful being a Mother is. When the alarm went off at 7am, I could not believe it was time to get up already. It felt like it had only been a few minutes since my eyes had closed (possibly had been). It was a rushed morning of getting kids ready for church, and rushing out the door to make it to the "early" service (starts around 8am). I had a commitment to watch the nursery for that service. I felt all of Katie's love for me as she was rather clingy after Dh and I's first date night since her joining our family. She wanted to be held...no she wanted down...wait, she wants to be held. Then Dh showed up in his suit of shining armor (not really, but I swear I saw a halo above his head) and told me to skedaddle to my Women's Sunday School class. I told him that Katie wasn't herself, and might need us to just stay with her again. In Sunday School I was able to eat breakfast (finally), and enjoy the blessed sound of NO whining. One of the members told me she loves reading my blog (*sniff*). That really made my day. As I'm listening to the discussion of Esther and the Boll Weivel stories, I get a message from Dh. He needs me to get Katie so he can sing in the choir. Plus, I get the joy of picking up the boys (it truly is a joy). The minute I get Katie from Dh, she starts crying. Hard. She did not like seeing Daddy leave (and this was the first time she's done this in 3-4 months). I get the boys, and find out that they made some GREAT cards for me (one had chocolate attached to it!). Samuel had made a tissue paper rose, I thought it was for me, but he said it was for Katie. She needed it more because she was crying. (*awwwww*)
I get everyone out to the car without a vomit incident (have I mentioned that sometimes Katie vomits if she cries hard enough? NO? well she does). I drive the car around the parking lot in circles for a little while. Katie continues to cry, and beat herself up with the tissue paper rose. We wait on Daddy. It seems like forever, but eventually he comes out of the doors and hops in the van. Katie cries harder. She cries the entire way home. As it's Mother's Day, I get to choose what we do for the day. I told Dh that I would LOVE to go for a "nature walk" nearby. We change clothes at home, and get everyone loaded in the van. We stop by Sonic for our Mother's Day Lunch. Katie cries and cries. She wants food, then she doesn't, then she does, then she doesn't. Dh and I are both trying to figure out what is wrong.
Amazingly, I've taken no photos until this point. NO PHOTOS PEOPLE! What kind of Mother am I? Katie looked so adorable in her Sunday dress too.
We get to the hiking place, and get everything together. Katie is no longer crying. She didn't eat lunch, but she's not crying. We took the Ergo carrier to try out, and she seemed content hanging out on Dh's back for the walk/hike. I handed the point and shoot camera to JM. As a result, you actually get to see some images of ME and my frizzy hair.
the view from one overlook....
view of the trees from the path...I don't know, ask JM, he took the photo.
do you see the bug? The kids did!
The hike/walk was nice, very nice. The boys said it was boring though they did enjoy themselves (yeah I was confused as well). Katie happily sat there on Dh's back, looked at the sky and trees...then fell asleep. After roughly 1.2 miles (it took us a good hour to walk it too), we were back at the van. Everyone was ready for a break, and a nice quiet relaxing ride down to the shopping center. We had to wake Katie up put her in the van. She screamed the entire way home. We chose to skip the shopping. We gave her some Motrin thinking she might be teething, or have a headache. After all, we had a headache by this point. She went right to sleep. I laid down on the bed and promptly fell asleep as well.
2.5 hours later I woke up. It's roughly 5pm now.
Dh had been shopping, and he tossed a bag of Dove dark chocolates on my lap from afar. He's been married to me long enough to know that I wake up grumpy, especially from a nap. We get up, walk to a friends home for a cookout. Have a lovely time with our friends, Katie is no longer screaming and crying. She's quite happy, though angry about something still. Yes, she can be both happy and angry at the same time. Happy meaning not screaming, laughing and playing. Angry in that she will only do anything on HER terms...including eating her dinner.
At 7:30pm she crawled up on my lap and said "Wan Nigh-nigh." Although the chocolate pie won her attention for staying for a few more minutes. We gathered up our children, and Katie refused to go to Dh. Ah....she's over being mad at me for going on a date with Dh. We promptly put her to bed once home, and she ever so kindly fell asleep for us.
10pm rolls around and our last little munchkin has fallen asleep...on the couch.
I truly DID love this Mother's Day. Not because it was perfect, not because I got wonderful gifts, but because I was able to spend it with my kids and Dh. I got to see friends, talk with my Mom, and live life.
Mother's Day hard thinking
This Mother's Day is both wonderful and contemplative. I've been thinking about Katie's foster Mom and her "first mom" or "birth mom" quite a bit. You see, Katie is an amazing girl. Truly breathtakingly amazing! Not that I'm biased at all. I wonder what her mother in China is thinking about and doing? Does she wonder how that little girl she gave birth to on August 1st, 2006 is doing? Does she even have a clue that 2 people around the world are raising her now? I don't know. I hope she can feel peace if she does think about her. I hope she is not terribly sad, and honestly I wish she didn't suffer any sadness when thinking of that little baby. I will say this, her parents in China were STRONG of mind. The traits passed on to Katie through them show me that.
But Katie's ability to love, to show love to others, to accept love from us...well that comes from her Foster Mom in China.
With the boys, I know how much I love them. How much of their personalities are directly attributed to us. I can look at them and say "that smile" came from us or that stubbornness came from me, or really just about every aspect of their personality. Katie, though, I look at her and think "Wow, her Mom and Dad in China have to be gorgeous. They have to have the best lips, the cutest smile, the prettiest eyes. They must be so smart, so funny, so out going, and love music." I think of how much I love the boys, and I think about things they could be thinking about Katie.
That's why this Mother's Day is more contemplative for me than those in the past. It's definitely tremendously JOYOUS and wonderful....but it's tempered by thoughts of what her Moms in China must think about her. I wish I could let them know that she is doing really well. That we love her so much.
Mother's Day this year is special though. I have 3 wonderful children. I have my boys, whose hugs and kisses mean the world to me. They participate any time I ask for a photo, and do so without too many bribes. I have my daughter who tolerates my dressing her up. Her hugs and kisses, are rarer for me to get but are the more precious for it. My husband is wonderfully tolerant of so many of my quirks, and has loved me for over 12 years.
But, more importantly, this Mother's Day I've been thinking about my Mother and my Mother-in-Law more as well. They are both very special women in our lives. My Mom was super nice this weekend to give us our FIRST night out on a date since we brought Katie home. (Dad helped as well of course) Everyday we live with our kids, we are reminded about how great it was that we were both blessed with Moms who cared for us so much, who invested so much time in our lives....and who love us still! :)
Grandmothers...our grandmothers are in our thoughts this day as well. We have a wonderful legacy of women in our families. I hope I am able to pass that legacy, that history of both our families down to Katie, for her to appreciate when she is a mother. Wow. Just thinking of her as a mother seems odd. But it's the circle that will one day complete.
But Katie's ability to love, to show love to others, to accept love from us...well that comes from her Foster Mom in China.
With the boys, I know how much I love them. How much of their personalities are directly attributed to us. I can look at them and say "that smile" came from us or that stubbornness came from me, or really just about every aspect of their personality. Katie, though, I look at her and think "Wow, her Mom and Dad in China have to be gorgeous. They have to have the best lips, the cutest smile, the prettiest eyes. They must be so smart, so funny, so out going, and love music." I think of how much I love the boys, and I think about things they could be thinking about Katie.
That's why this Mother's Day is more contemplative for me than those in the past. It's definitely tremendously JOYOUS and wonderful....but it's tempered by thoughts of what her Moms in China must think about her. I wish I could let them know that she is doing really well. That we love her so much.
Mother's Day this year is special though. I have 3 wonderful children. I have my boys, whose hugs and kisses mean the world to me. They participate any time I ask for a photo, and do so without too many bribes. I have my daughter who tolerates my dressing her up. Her hugs and kisses, are rarer for me to get but are the more precious for it. My husband is wonderfully tolerant of so many of my quirks, and has loved me for over 12 years.
But, more importantly, this Mother's Day I've been thinking about my Mother and my Mother-in-Law more as well. They are both very special women in our lives. My Mom was super nice this weekend to give us our FIRST night out on a date since we brought Katie home. (Dad helped as well of course) Everyday we live with our kids, we are reminded about how great it was that we were both blessed with Moms who cared for us so much, who invested so much time in our lives....and who love us still! :)
Grandmothers...our grandmothers are in our thoughts this day as well. We have a wonderful legacy of women in our families. I hope I am able to pass that legacy, that history of both our families down to Katie, for her to appreciate when she is a mother. Wow. Just thinking of her as a mother seems odd. But it's the circle that will one day complete.
Friday, May 09, 2008
An important milestone!
I've mastered something important....are you ready to find out what it is?
At least it is in our family it's important. I have mastered drinking out of a juice box!
Okay, so I still gets a little confused sometimes.
I particularly like the sunlight reflecting on the foil.
But it's more fun to take the straw out, and put it back in.
Don't you think it's a great important milestone too?
You do?! Oh that's great!
At least it is in our family it's important. I have mastered drinking out of a juice box!
Okay, so I still gets a little confused sometimes.
I particularly like the sunlight reflecting on the foil.
But it's more fun to take the straw out, and put it back in.
Don't you think it's a great important milestone too?
You do?! Oh that's great!
Thursday, May 08, 2008
Wan coca-cola!
We've been working on simple phrases with Katie so she can tell us things. Phrases such as "Want milk." We've also been trying to get her to say "milk" or "juice." Weeks of trying this, and she gives us this look like we are crazy or something.
So, one day, while out looking at houses or something, I went into a gas station to get us all some drinks. Samuel called up to me, "I want Coca-cola!" This was the first time he's called up that particular phrase. Katie immediately piped up, "Wan Coca-cola!"
Yes, we all started laughing. No, she did not get it. Nor has she. However, we now hear "wan coca-cola" a lot. She even performs for other people. We try to get her to say "milk" or "juice" and she shakes her head no. She wants to say "coca-cola."
So, one day, while out looking at houses or something, I went into a gas station to get us all some drinks. Samuel called up to me, "I want Coca-cola!" This was the first time he's called up that particular phrase. Katie immediately piped up, "Wan Coca-cola!"
Yes, we all started laughing. No, she did not get it. Nor has she. However, we now hear "wan coca-cola" a lot. She even performs for other people. We try to get her to say "milk" or "juice" and she shakes her head no. She wants to say "coca-cola."
Wednesday, May 07, 2008
Blogger block
It's similar to writers block...except for a blog. I have it. Nothing to share, nothing saved in my drafts folder. I'll have things to write eventually, I know I will. One of the kids will do or say something and I'll be off. Or work will slow down and I will find time to enjoy things like reading and relaxing again. But for now, I'm busy.
I did just realize that YES indeed Mother's Day is Sunday. As in 4 days. As in, OOPS I forgot to get what I wanted to give those 2 special women in our lives ordered. I will attempt to find cards, or at the very least have the kids make some.
I did just realize that YES indeed Mother's Day is Sunday. As in 4 days. As in, OOPS I forgot to get what I wanted to give those 2 special women in our lives ordered. I will attempt to find cards, or at the very least have the kids make some.
Monday, May 05, 2008
Sunday, May 04, 2008
more photos...of course
Sweet little baby at the church picnic, in her pretty pink hat...that was a little too big.
Just as lovely in profile (and look the nose did not break the plane of the face! SCORE!....and if you don't know what that means, just ask and I'll explain via photos)
She was very interested in Mommy's friend Hope. Hope is the Mommy to one of her good friends (well, they'll be good friends one day as they are in the same Sunday School class).
How she spent most of the time at the church picnic...
Don't you agree, those overalls need some decoration! Ribbons or something, but since they were hand-me-downs from Samuel, we've not gotten around to it. I was rather amazed by how cute she was in overalls though.
Just as lovely in profile (and look the nose did not break the plane of the face! SCORE!....and if you don't know what that means, just ask and I'll explain via photos)
She was very interested in Mommy's friend Hope. Hope is the Mommy to one of her good friends (well, they'll be good friends one day as they are in the same Sunday School class).
How she spent most of the time at the church picnic...
Don't you agree, those overalls need some decoration! Ribbons or something, but since they were hand-me-downs from Samuel, we've not gotten around to it. I was rather amazed by how cute she was in overalls though.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
