Keeping It Simple

This is my amazing daughter, Erin. I try to stay away from mommy brags (at least too often), but I figure an auspicious occasion like this deserves a little bragging. I remember, years ago, reading about some local high school graduates. The local paper gave a lot of type to the very public accomplishments of those young people. Service awards, accolades for musical talent, multiple club affiliations, travel abroad, sports accomplishments, and more were touted about these graduates. It made me consider the much quieter accomplishments of homeschool graduates that I knew. Rarely is anyone going to stand at a podium and tout their accomplishments (unless they fit the mold that the world has set for being considered successful). So, on this very small podium (so to speak) I would like to take a moment to tout my daughter's accomplishments.   This amazing girl watches her Goddaughter (niece) while her sister works, she makes time...

In Our Homeschool This Week: Reading: A new development in our school schedule is that James (7yo) goes next door to do his reading with grandma a few times a week. He takes this very seriously. And, if grandma tells him something, he listens. Isn't that the way it always goes? The biggest plus--- James gets some treasured one on one time with his grandma, and that makes me happy. :) No wrap up would be complete without All About Spelling: We have ordered the level two story collections that go with the AAS program. These readers are $19.95 a piece. Ouch!!! Steep. But, when James finished his level 1 book, and I moved him to another reader that I had on hand, he was not happy- and, grandma (see above :)) agreed with him!! He did not care for the See Jane Run style of the reader... boring (in his words).  The AAS readers are sturdy hardback books that do have absolutely charming drawings and are written with a good dose of humor (that ...

I got questions!! :) I may have been a bit overzealous in my responses, but, as my "in real life" friends already know, I have something to say about almost anything. (Learning to keep it to myself is a challenge for me, but I am working on it!) Anyway, these are the questions and my rather long winded answers. Did any of your children desire to go to "real" school? As my now adult children entered their upper elementary/high school years, they would get this question from their "regular school" friends- "don't you ever get tired of homeschooling?"- the answer was "yes!". (for mom and students) My girls and I discussed the fact that there is not a public school teacher in the world who does not, at times, groan at the thought of facing another day. And, how many public school students fake a tummy ache to stay home? Sometimes the grass looked greener to mom and students alike!! But, at the core of it, I knew that we had solid r...