Lily's asleep and Justin headed to the grocery store with the boys, so here we are... :) Can you hear that?... Me neither! LOL! It's been a couple of weeks since we got back from our beach vacation. It was difficult getting the kids started with school in August after several months of doing whatever they want, whenever they want, and then we had our vacation. But I can joyfully say, we are finding our groove!!! I will admit, I was quite a bit discouraged when we first got started and I was having so much trouble with them wanting to go play. Isaiah had forgotten what it was like to wake up at 6 and rush out the door to the bus, be gone all day, come home tired, and still have homework to do. I kept trying to remind him that putting in good, quality, intense study time would pay off. He would have more time to play. I can honestly say, I think they are on their way to enjoying it! :o I now ask them which subjects they want to do first, that helps. My sister-in-law, Shannon, has been a valuable source of ideas from years of experience. Just like in public school, we now break between subjects with "incentives". At school, the kids might go to P.E. or art, or even do "centers". Here, I tell them that after finishing "x" we can have a snack, play a card game, checkers, etc. so they don't feel like they are staring at books for hours on end. We separate our activities and I've read that they retain the most information from the beginning and end of each session, so keeping them short and sweet (but jam-packed and concentrated) is most beneficial. My goal is not to raise prodigy's. All I desire is that they try their best and find their gifts, which I believe are many. Though I must say, I am so proud that they are both doing work beyond their grade level. Isaiah is a year ahead in math and Gabe is 2 years ahead in phonics and a year ahead in math. It is exciting to me, not that they are "ahead" but that their brains a stimulated and the juices are flowing. They are bright and quick to learn. As a mom, all we want is to watch our children thrive, succeed, and find joy in their surroundings and themselves. To gain confidence, not cockiness, have a strong sense of self, and to not be afraid. There is nothing wrong with "failure", I am still learning that one. That our failures are just stepping stones in our experiences to achievement. Homeschooling has been a rollercoaster so far, but just because something is hard does NOT mean that it's not RIGHT. If my children disobey, does that mean that maybe I should let them just do whatever they want??? Some days they challenge me all day long... but MY JOB AS A MOTHER is to guide them (considering their unique personality and gifts) through their young life, preparing them as best I can, so deal with whatever lies ahead.
I went to check Isaiah's work and found this...
One morning while eating breakfast, the boys started building a castle together :)
Gabe doodled on his FACE while watching tv one night!!! Kids are crazy...
Hey, blue-eyes...
I saw this on a plaque and really liked it. I put it on Facebook and some people responded "big houses too", which is true. I am mindful not to get jealous of people who have more than we do. But, there is something that appeals to me about raising my children in a humble home. The three boys share a room, because we have no choice... but I'm glad for it. I think it helps curb selfishness and reminds us that we are a team, growing together. 
