First Day of Homeschool

"The A says 'ah,' the A says 'ah,' every letter makes a sound, the A says 'ah'!

Apologies in advance if you continue to have that song ringing through your ears the rest of the day...I know I did. But you know what? I love it. I have been terrified nervous about this day for months. I have been worrying myself to death over how I would start homeschooling the kids and how they would react. And you know what? they LOVED it. And so did I! I can do this!

I'm not going to get into a debate here about homeschool versus public or private school. I know  awesome homeschooled people and amazing traditionally schooled folks (myself included). And on top of that, I know unbelievable homeschooling mommies and just as many working and stay at home moms who do not homeschool. Everyone is different and isn't that great? I am beginning down the road of Homeschooling because John and I have prayed about it and it is what is best for our family...right now.

So today we started a preK program loosely following the Letter of the Week curriculum from Confessions of a Homeschooler. With my own stuff mixed in (thank you Pinterest.) A lot will be review for Nicolaus since he went to preschool last year. My goal is to have both he and Carleigh up to speed to begin a Kindergarten curriculum next year. Nicolaus is showing pre-reading interest so I plan on working on that with him also.

Hopefully you will enjoy coming along with us on our Homeschool adventure as the three of us learn together. Below is just the start of what we did today. If you are a homeschooling mom and have any tips or tricks to share, please do! And I appreciate any and all prayers for our family as we head down this road.

I said "Yes"

My friend Jennifer over at Parenting Steps challenged our group of Mommy friends to "Be a 'Yes' Mom" for a week--say "yes" to something we normally wouldn't like ice cream for breakfast, crazy clothes, etc. I'm a bit ashamed to admit that I am not more of a "Yes" Mom, not at all. Growing up I thought I'd be this really cool spontaneous mom, but somehow I have turned into a crazy  mom who thrives on schedule and needs things to be "just-so." Huge messes from finger paints unnerve me, as do cookie crumbs everywhere or unexpected detours when trying to get from point A to point B. So when I read the challenge this morning on Facebook, part of me cringed, but that same part knew I HAD to do it. Initially I planned (keyword "plan") to just say yes to the kids playing in the water in the backyard. But this morning when the kids and I needed to walk to the Post Office to mail a package, Nicolaus asked if he could walk instead of riding in the stroller with his sister. I heard a voice in my head (ahem Jennifer) saying "Be a YES Mom!" So off we went, Carleigh in the single stroller and Nicolaus rushing ahead; skipping beside; squatting to pick up a rock, pine cone, or acorn. And do you know what...he pointed out fragrant peonies along the way I had never noticed, butterfly cocoons hangingon a porch, dewy honeysuckle climbing along a railing, a robin's egg fallen from its nest. You see, I normally click the two of them into the double stroller and power walk wherever we need to go like its my life's purpose. If I hadn't said "Yes," we would have missed a memorable morning. Andplusalso, I didn't bring my phone, so normally when I would have been tempted to instagram, FaceBook or text every little discovery, instead they're all ours and I wouldn't have it any other way. Especially in today's society when we are all so plugged in to social networks and our electronic devices, it is easy to let meaningful personal relationships and special moments pass us by. So I ask you, what are you missing by not saying "Yes?" By not following your children's footsteps for they are making discoveries every day?

Matthew 18:3 
3 And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven."

Things I'd Love to Blog About

...if I could only find the time!

1.  Grace Based Parenting. A book by Dr. Tim Kimmel and a class I am taking at WCOG. The class leader Jennifer Miller has a great Blog. Check it out!

2.  My tug-of-war with a certain 15 lbs

3.  All the knit and crochet projects I have planned

4.  Our visit to the pumpkin patch

5.  My Tuesday morning Bible Study. Oh what would I do without Women in the Word and their Little Hearts program which watches the kids during those three awesome hours?

6.  Toddler tantrums

7.  Making applesauce

8.  How I feel about the passing of my latest birthday

9.  My personal style...or lack thereof

10.  All the amazing things my kids are learning (and teaching me)

Lasts

Amy reminded me that I should blog about my last day(s) as a mother of one so I remember what I was feeling, doing etc. It got me to thinking that while over the last year and a half, this blog has been about "firsts," these couple of days are filled with many "lasts." Today was my last prenatal appointment before Carleigh is born. Nicolaus and I had our last lunch date together (well, at least for a while anyway). I have driven the van for the last time with just one carseat. Tomorrow will be the last morning with Mommy, Daddy, and Nicolaus snuggle time and the last evening with our same old bath, stories, bedtime routine. I have to admit it is a bit bittersweet. I love every second of being Nicolaus' Mommy and we have made out pretty well together since he was born--both of us learning so much about ourselves. At the same time, I am looking forward to all of the Firsts about to take place. The first time John and I see and hold our little girl; the first time Nicolaus sees his little sister; the first time I can hold both my babies; the first time I can call us a family of four...and all the other firsts that will take place the first year of Carleigh's life and for the rest of our lives as a family. So while it is an end to a wonderful part of my life (and I admit to crying about it a few times), it is the beginning of a whole new set of adventures for our family!

The Sweetest Thing

Nicolaus kissing Mommy's belly. Wonderful Mommy moment!

Proud Mommy Moment

I will be the first to admit that in the short span of his life, my son has managed to wrap me around his cute little finger. I go to him when he cries, hold him when he wants to be held, give in to what he wants to eat and rock him to bed every night. With baby girl on the way, I have come to realize Nicolaus needs to get used to not always being the center of attention because, lets face it, he won't be. So I must grow a wee bit thicker skin. Anyway, this weekend I baked some homeade chocolate chip cookies. Somehow or another Nicolaus picked up the word "cookie." Mind you he has only had a total of one or two cookies if you add up the bites here and there so John and I are not quite sure where he learned the word. So this morning he is sitting on the floor in the kitchen and throws himself into a tantrum shouting "cookie, cookie!" and pointing to the cookie jar. I refused to give in to this first REAL tantrum and sat in the family room with toys surrounding me making sure he saw what a great time I was having. In an effort to get me to notice him, Nicolaus starts doing what can only be described as "the snake" on the floor, crying all the while. This continued for about 5 minutes when all of a sudden he stood up, walked over to where I sat, gave me a hug and started playing. It really does work to not give in to their tantrums!