Update on Cody

Cody is doing really well in Charter School. He has made friends (almost from the first day) and likes his teacher. We have discovered we did not do as well at keeping him up on math as we could have, but he is doing awesome in everything else!

As I look back over this experience I can see how it fullfilled it's purpose. Cody had the time to heal emotionally and gain back some self respect and courage. He has grown by leaps and bounds. And although he is still shy in front of adults for a while, he is back to his old self!

He has also found a deep passion for reading and gets lost in books for hours. *GRIN* just like his mom! I haven't read a good book in almost a year because I can't trust myself to put it down and do my regular mom duties. I get lost and can't function until I finish it. (so... yeah... no. I have not read Twilight. LOL)

Any way... We are getting back into the swing of school all day and it just being Caleb and I at home.

One good thing about Cody going to the Charter School, we pulled Cameron out of public school and he went with Cody. They are enjoying going together. I am so thankful for the paths our Father in Heaven leads us on. We truly are better for following His lead.

And I hope someday to be able to homeschool again. :)

School is taking a back burner...

I am very sad to report... we are closing doors on the Dorius Academy for a little while. We have had a series of unfortunate events that require Mom to be a Realtor/Office Manager more than a teacher right now... so Cody is headed to school.

He is really sad. I just can't stomach the thought of him getting behind... and financially I need the time I use for school to invest in finding ways to bring in more income for now.

This is likely temporary... but we are all doing what he have to do as a family to make ends meet... even Cody going back to school.

He is pleased the local charter school has room for him... so he won't be stuck in the same predicament of being held back by the bureaucracy of regular public school. So that is good. Say a prayer for Cody would you? He is really nervous about getting back into the swing of things. And so am I. :)

The 1st week...

Well... the kids have been in school for a week. In that week Bubba and I have re-organized the office/homeschool room, did some online searches, got him on the waiting list for k12 and signed him up for Time 4 Learning. He has played on that everyday - Science, Math, Language, Spelling, Social Studies etc! They have Units and he has been doing one unit in each subject everyday. He LOVES it! Then they have "playground" with literally a hundred of more games he can play. The trial run ends in a week... but I think it is a keeper! I get all these fancy reports on how he is doing too! LOVE IT!

Cody also has been working on his book he started writting last school year. He is a little bummed out that I won't let him type it up yet... it is his handwritting practice! *grin* Maybe if I can get him to journal more I would let him... we'll see.

We also built a "weather station" out of a soda pop bottle for the rain storm he heard was coming. It was really fun! I just enjoy him so much!

We're Baaaaaacckkkk! :)

Hi! We, at the newly named Dorius Academy, (lol), are glad to be back at it! We have had a fabulously lazy summer, partly due to no funds to do anything, and partly due to how very busy I have been with Real Estate (which is starting to remedy the prior). We have not done anything to prepare for the new school year yet, though we are trying!

Cody and I spent today trying to get our home school room/JWD office organized and re-arranged. Sadly... our vacuum bit the dust and after over an hour of trying and failing, we are graciously allowing the blessed appliance to enjoy it's demise and withdrawing some savings to go get a new one. Nothing fancy today... but at this point anything is better than nothing! LOL

Tomorrow we are starting review in his workbooks from last year. This is the curriculum we have. *grin* We are on the waiting list/waiting for approval for k12, an online/at home program that will give Cody all his grades school work etc for us to do here at home. We are excited.

He has also signed up for some part time classes at the charter school in the mean time as well. He will be taking: Violin, Art, Science Lab, Computer Lab, Creative Writing (the Novel way) and Reader's Theatre. He will be gone all day on Tuesday for that! It is shaping up to be a wonderful school year!

Emma and Cam both decided to return to public school this year. I am happy for them, and know it is what they need. :) We will miss them... but I know they will do awesome!

As far as an update, Cody is doing marvelously! I can barely believe the change in him. His Father in Heaven sure knows what he needs. Though I had many treat me like I had 6 heads for pulling him out of public school to "improve his social skills", by following that prompting we have seen tremendous results. Cody is articulate, social, the comedian he used to be, interactive and is enjoying exploring who he is and what he wants. I am so thankful we were drawn to this decision. I have my Bubba back!

Vacation!!

I can't believe May is gone! We have done so much! We have planted our garden, are building a chicken coop, & we recently returned from a family vacation.

I hate to say it, but we were terribly busy...but I can't tell you exactly with what! LOL! I have GOT to keep better records! hee hee!!

We went to Tucson for a family members graduation and stayed to play.

Before we left the kids took a day I had to work and worked together to create an entire report for me about Arizona. They had everything from the state bird and flower, to endangered species and climates. The put it all together in book form with the front being a dipiction of the Arizona flag. It was awesome!

We enjoyed checking out Sedona and Tombstone during our travels, as well as Montazuma's Castle and some indian trading posts. We played hard with cousins, discovered their new favorite "virtual reality" website to play on, and had an all around good time!

My favorite part was the rememberance of how much we really do enjoy each other's company. I feel so blessed to have the little family I have. My kids are the best!!!

101 Ideas to Do This Summer

I wanted to post this so I can refer back to it - and so if it helps any of you out there that is great too!! THAKYOU to Homeschool.com! This is AWESOME!

1 Make a scrapbook of everything you do this summer
The Basics of Scrapbookinghttp://www.scrapbookscrapbook.com/beginners.html

2 Have a picnic
Planning a Picnichttp://www.the-picnic-site.com/

3 Learn how to play soccer
How to Play Soccerhttp://www.ehow.com/PrintArticle.html?id=2044097

4 Visit another country
Lonely Planet Destination Guideswww.lonelyplanet.com/destinations/

5 Go to a ballgame
Major League Baseball Team Schedulesmlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/mlb/schedule/index.jsp

6 Get a job (parent permission)
Teens 4 Hirewww.teens4hire.org/

7 Become a photographer
BetterPhoto for Kids and Teenswww.betterphoto.com/photography-for-kids.asp

8 Make dinner for your family
Do-It-Yourself Dinner Party Project (PDF)http://www.reynoldskitchens.com/ReynoldsKitchens/KitchenConnection/special/dinner_party/DinnerParty.pdf
9 Compare a book to a movie
Compare and Contrast Essay (PDF) http://www.csudh.edu/CLASS/services/studyskills/english/webpageworksheets/comparecontrastessay.htm
10 Write a poem
30 Days of Poetrywww.msrogers.com/English2/poetry/30_days_of_poetry.htm

11 Learn about fireworks
How Stuff Works: Fireworkspeople.howstuffworks.com/fireworks.htm

12 Bake some cookies
Science of Cookieswww.bakingandbakingscience.com/cookies.htm

13 Take a boat ride
Boat Safe Kids!www.boatsafe.com/kids/index.htm

14 Sketch a picture of your house from the outside
Perspective Drawingwww.artyfactory.com/perspective_drawing/perspective_1.htm

15 Go to camp
Smart Start to Businesshttp://www.youthpreneur.net/camps

16 Visit a farm
4-H Virtual Farmswww.ext.vt.edu/resources/4h/virtualfarm/main.html

17 Take a walk and record the sounds
Listening to Naturewww.museumca.org/naturalsounds/

18 Embrace Other Cultures
Culture Questhttp://www.ipl.org/div/kidspace/cquest/

19 Keep a journal of what you do during the Summer
Keepsake Diaryhttp://kids-indoor-activities.suite101.com/article.cfm/keep_a_summer_journal
20
Cut up an old greeting card picture and make a puzzle(parent help)
How to make your own jigsaw puzzletn.essortment.com/howtomakeyour_rgzx.htm

21
Start a band
Make Music! Start a Bandwww.mustcreate.org/kid_home/kids3_1.shtml

22
Learn how to make a movie
Digital Movie Making for Kidshttp://www.adobe.com/education/digkids/intro_video/making_of_movie.html

23
Blow up balloons, put notes inside and hand them out to friends
Message in a Balloonwww.nmhct.nhs.uk/pharmacy/nmha-activities.html

24
Go backpacking
The Beginning Backpackerwww.backpacking.net/beginner.html

25
Learn how to oil paint
Free Art Lessonshttp://www.interactiveartschool.com/free-art-lessons.html

26
Create a web site
Lissa Explains HTML for Kidswww.lissaexplains.com/

27
Go camping
Go Camping America Kids Pageswww.gocampingamerica.com/kidspages/

28
Learn how to use Microsoft Office
Free Tutorials for Microsoft Officehttp://www.baycongroup.com/tutorials.htm

29
Help an elderly person with house or yard work(parent permission)
20 Great Reasons to Volunteerwww.volunteermatch.org/volunteers/resources/tipstricks.jsp

30
Visit the zoo
National Zoo Animal Web camsnationalzoo.si.edu/Animals/default.cfm

31
Learn a foreign language
Free Online Language Courseswww.word2word.com/coursead.html

32
Make an obstacle course in your back yard
How To Set Up An Obstacle Coursewww.ehow.com/how_3113_set-obstacle-course.html

33
Make a treasure hunt
The Ultimate Treasure Huntwww.allthatstuff.net/treasurehunt.htm

34
View and learn about Modern Art
Destination Modern Arthttp://www.moma.org/destination/

35
Learn about the Animals that live on our planet
A Library of the World’s Animalshttp://www.learnanimals.com/

36
Recycle bottles and donate the money to a local charity
The Internet Consumer Recycling Guidewww.obviously.com/recycle/

37
Explore the Universe
A Learning Center for Young Astronomershttp://starchild.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/StarChild/StarChild.html

38
Build a tree house
The Tree House Guidewww.thetreehouseguide.com/

39
Create a new world
World Buildingteenwriting.about.com/library/weekly/aa071602a.htm

40
Set up a lemonade stand
Lemonade Stand Gamewww.coolmath-games.com/lemonade/

41
Learn how to make ethnic food
Ethnic Recipeshttp://www.bhg.com/recipes/food-slide-shows/ethnic-food/

42
Attend a concert
Buy tickets http://www.ticketmaster.com/section/concerts

43
Have family game nights
What Game Should We Play?http://www.hasbro.com/familygamenight/pl/page.games/dn/default.cfm

44
Learn about science
Latest Science Newshttp://www.sciencedaily.com/news/

45
Make a collage from magazine words and pictures
Collagepbskids.org/zoom/activities/do/collage.html

46
Create a terrarium
How to Make a Terrariumwww.ehow.com/how_9374_make-terrarium.html

47
Learn how to help the environment
Environmental Kids Clubhttp://www.epa.gov/kids/index.htm

48
Discover new games to play
Nature Gameshttp://www.ultimatecampresource.com/site/camp-activities/nature-games.page-1.html

49
Go to a museum
Find a museum in your areahttp://curry.edschool.virginia.edu/it/projects/Museums/Teacher_Guide/Hotlist/

50
Make a fire plan
Home Fire Safetywww.usfa.fema.gov/kids/flash.shtm

51
Make up bubble solution and have a contest
Casey Carle's "Secret" Bubble Solutionswww.bubblemania.com/faq/solution.html

52
Find a pen-pal (parent permission)
Pen Pal Directorieswww.stonesoup.com/main2/penpal.html

53
Plant something
Gardens for Beginnerswww.geocities.com/mastergardener2k/

54
Learn about Plants and our Environment
ThinkQuesthttp://library.thinkquest.org/3715/

55
Host a yard sale
How to Plan a Yard Salewww.ehow.com/how_137461_yard-garage-sale.html

56
Build a sandcastle
Sandcastle Toolswww.sandcastlecentral.com/toolpages/

57
Donate some of the toys and clothes you no longer use
How To Donate Toyswww.ehow.com/how_10124_donate-toys-children.html

58
Research your family tree
Free Genealogy Informationhttp://genealogy.about.com/cs/free_genealogy/a/free_sites.htm

59
Fly a kite
Professor Kite and the Secret of Kiteswww.gombergkites.com/howgen.html

60
Invent your own board game
Design Your Own Board Gamela.essortment.com/boardgamedesig_rxcu.htm

61
Make your own comic book
Comic Creatorhttp://www.readwritethink.org/materials/comic/

62
Create a book cover for your writing projects
Book Cover Creatorhttp://www.readwritethink.org/materials/bookcover/

63
Act in a play
So You Want to Put On a Play?www.writewords.org.uk/articles/theatre1.asp

64
Learn to Cook
Introductory Cooking Lessonshttp://www.kids-cooking-activities.com/kids-cooking-lessons-cit-intro.html

65
Make a bird feeder
Easy birdfeeders for young childrenhttp://www.care2.com/greenliving/make-easy-bird-feeders.html

66
Organize a bike safety clinic
Bicycle Safety Command Centerwww.state.il.us/kids/isp/bikes/

67
Spend time with your grandparents
10 Great Activitieswww.education-world.com/a_lesson/lesson136.shtml

68
Learn how the Internet works
Learn the Nethttp://www.learnthenet.com/english/section/intbas.html

69
Dig for fossils
Dinosaur Digwww.sdnhm.org/kids/fossils/

70
Write a song
Notes on Songwritingwww.robinfrederick.com/write.html

71
Tie-dye some t-shirts
How to Tie-Dyeiaia.essortment.com/tiedyedyefa_rmel.htm

72
Make your own banana split
Yum!http://parentingteens.about.com/cs/recipesforkids/ht/bananasplit.htm

73
Create a themed dinner
Theme Dinner Ideashttp://www.kids-cooking-activities.com/theme-dinner-ideas.html

74
Tour the World
Google Earth Stylehttp://earth.google.com/tour.html

75
Throw a pajama party
Make it a successhttp://www.ehow.com/how_2047629_plan-pajama-party.html

76
Learn some new outdoor games
Games Kids Playwww.gameskidsplay.net/

77
Make something from recyclables
Crafts from Recycled Productswww.makingfriends.com/recycle.htm

78
See a movie with a friend
In the theatre or on DVDhttp://www.movies.com/

79
Make homemade ice cream
Kitchen Theater Science in a Scoopwww.carnegiemuseums.org/cmag/bk_issue/1996/julaug/dept4.htm

80
Build a time capsule
For the entire familyhttp://www.ehow.com/how_6637_make-family-time.html

81
Get a magazine subscription (parent permission)
Magazine Listingwww.magsonthenet.com/chilmag.html

82
Organize a scavenger hunt
Outdoor Scavenger Huntswww.lovetheoutdoors.com/camping/kids/scavengerhunt.htm

83
Go swimming
Video Clips of the Swimming Strokeswellness.lattc.cc.ca.us/real/strokes.html

84
Paint a portrait of your best friend
Draw Your Friendwww.arts.ufl.edu/art/rt_room/sparkers/friend_portrait/portrait_friend.html

85
Start a collection
How to Start a Collectionwww.ehow.com/how_10563_start-collection.html

86
Write a fairy tale
Fractured Fairy Taleshttp://www.readwritethink.org/materials/fairytales/

87
Travel in time
Odyssey Onlinecarlos.emory.edu/ODYSSEY/MidElem_Home.html

88
Stargaze and track the moon phases
Moon informationhttp://www.moonconnection.com/

89
Learn how to sew
Learn to Sew http://cyberseams.com/

90
Visit a National Park
National Park Service Guidewww.nps.gov/parks.html

91
Rent a video of a ballet
Easy to Read Profiles of the Histories of Balletsclassicalmusic.about.com/od/historyofballet/

92
Roast marshmallows
How to Roast a Marshmallowwww.ehow.com/how_1164_roast-marshmallow.html

93
Watch the birds
Tips on Getting Started with Bird Watchingwww.birdwatching.com/tips/kids_birding.html

94
Arrange a bouquet of flowers
Learn how to make a beautiful display http://interiordec.about.com/library/weekly/aa021403b2.htm
95
Learn to blog (parents’ permission)
How-tohttp://learn2blog.pitas.com/

96
Re-decorate your room
Decorating Galleryhttp://www.hgtv.com/topics/bedrooms/index.html

97
Learn to play chess
Chess is Funhttp://www.soyouwanna.com/site/syws/chess/chess.html

98
Adopt a pet (parent permission)
http://www.petfinder.com/

99
Keep your brain going
Brain Teaserswww.brainconnection.com/teasers/

100
Teach someone to use email
How eMail Workswww.learnthenet.com/english/html/20how.htm

101
Create your own holiday
A Month With No Holidays? Make Up Your Own!www.educationworld.com/a_lesson/lesson018.shtml

The rest of April

Wow! We just move through the weeks at lightening speed! I can't believe the week is gone!

This week has not been as productive as I imagined it would be - and yet they have been busy the whole week. We have not made it to the library. We have not written great lengths of discourses. We have read. We have done math. We have cleaned our home, visited friends, enjoyed the fabulous weather, celebrated birthdays and just had a very busy week!

LOL! So... maybe my goal of keeping this as our record will be much better....

...Next week. ;)