Letting Go, Changing Plans, Moving Forward

I had the MOST awesome homeschool year planned out for my kiddos! I researched & took time to look at what they needed to learn, reviewed curriculum, borrowed books, or bought some cheaply, or didn't buy at all! I had planned to do my own math curriculum because as a former elementary teacher I know what he needs to  know by when & I'm completely confident in myself. I had found free printables & such for my preschooler online that I loved & knew I could totally put together fun ideas to teach him. It would take time to plan, print, copy, & laminate, but I knew I had the complete ability to do it all!

But then the ball dropped. Hard. then it rolled & took on the snowball effect & we got more & more off course. I've been super busy with ministry stuff & a new part time job, not mention staying home & schooling 3 boys: 7, 4, & almost 2. Time is not on my side, 24 hours doesn't do it.

I have to sleep. I need to have quiet time. I'm trying to lose weight & get healthy so we can get pregnant again. My house needs updating on paint (BADLY). I just couldn't & can't do it all. No way. No how. No matter how hard I want to & how hard I try...I just can't.

I decided to not beat myself up. I found a preschool curriculum by Horizons complete with videos, workbooks, music etc. It was a lot more than I ever planned or would normally spend! After sitting at this very computer & praying I knew I needed to take this plunge. My 2 year old could take part in some things & so cute & fun we can totally use year after year 2-5 years of age if needed! It covers everything from letter recognition, sounds, number recognition to early addition, science, character building, Bible, social studies, etc! I'll use it as fast or as slow as needed & I just cut out hours of planning, prinitng, laminating, etc etc etc!! Whoo hoo!!! YEA ME!! (Really praise Jesus for giving me this epiphany!!)

I also gave my 7 year old a placement test & decided on using Singapore Math because of the higher order thinking skills it uses. I really liked Horizons spiral plan, but the reviews & thinking skills Singapore would teach him won me over. Again I just shaved off hour of all the planning I would've had to do.

The best part about all of this? No it's not really the time saving factor, it's that I don't feel guilt or failure for having to change my plans & let go of this "dream" I had. That is the power of Christ in me. Helping me, nurturing me, & reminding me that in Him there is NO condemnation & just because all these other homeschool mommas can seemingly "do it all" it is perfectly ok that I can't. I can take an easier road, press on & move forward.

I will still add in fun themes here & there as time allows, but in this season, this momma needs a break!

I still have blogs to write on our Letter F & H & about my 2nd grader's journey so far this year. We have had lots of fun & I'm excited to share it all with you whenever I can!

Many blessings to you all!!

First Grade Finale!

 WOW! My sweet Brady completed all his 1st grade stuff! We began the week after July 4, 2011 & finished up The first week of April 2012 even with all the breaks we needed to take due to my unexpected call into the Pro-Life Ministry, speaking engagements, traveling, sickness & anything else that came up. I must admit though, it wasn't hard with him, he's naturally smart! We've only been done 2 weeks & he's begging to start up his 2nd grade curriculum!

Here are some pictures I snapped throughout the year of him learning. I try to incorporate different learning styles & ideas as much as possible & always keep learning fun! Some of Brady's favorite things this year were the dinosaur dig, our nature hunts, trying astronaut food, learning to read his Beginner's Bible, & all the fun play dates at the Resource Center.

 Above: Working on a Holiday/Calendar cut & paste activity & space vocabulary.
Below: Double-digit addition & teaching Rylan the difference between P & p.

 Above: Reading a book about time & practicing with his clock & doing learning games on his ClickStart.
Below: Sight word practice in salt & the dino dig.

Above: Spelling words with alphabet Cheezits & his artwork for a co-op class.
Below: Cut & paste nouns & using manipulatives for place value.

Above: Our backyard campout & our science experiment on dissolving bones.

Below: Swinging at the Pumpkin Patch & cheesing with his pumpkin. 

 Above: Dressed in his Native American gear & as Luigi as he does his writing practice.
Below: Reading his first chapter book & super excited he finished his 1st grade reading curriculum. He's a GREAT reader!

 I couldn't be more proud of Brady! I'm very blessed to have him as my son! He's very kind & loving to others, he loves to read his Bible & sing to Jesus, he's an amazing big brother, I could seriously go on & on! I am excited to see what 2nd grade brings us!