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. ;)

April 27th, Monday, Daddy's Birthday

Here we are a new week...

Cam and I slept in as he had a rough asthma day & was really bad last night. We did a shower, and meds and treatments and he finally slept well after about 4 am on. *sigh* So fun.

While he and I slept, Caleb got out his toy lap top computer and played alphabet games for over an hour. Cody read in his book, and played some with Caleb. Once we all got up and going about 10 am (*blush*) we did Math... Emma did 2 pages, Cody did 2 pages, Cameron did 4 pages (he loves math!) and Caleb played with his legos. They worked on the United States puzzle together. They helped Cameron do a power point on lungs. We discussed the Swine Flu and what a Pandemic is and how to stay healthy. We also discussed death a bit and the plan of salvation... they all think in some ways dying would be easier. :0 I was shocked at their wisdom. Emma did a power point (which includes research) on Flamingos today. We also changed bedding on beds, and started sorting out summer/winter clothes. Then they spent over an hour and half making this:

Which as you can see is on our garage awaiting the return of their Daddy. *GRIN*

They took Sophie on a long walk, Emma played Wii Fit for 30 minutes, Cam played on Webkinz (learning about earning points to buy his "pet" things it needs etc) and he also composed his 1st email and sent it to me. (go Cam!) Caleb went to Preschool today. Cody has a sore throat so he is resting on the couch with free time on the TV this afternoon and the rest are playing outside with friends. Then we shall have birthday activities shortly... and possibly a trip to a farm to pick up some chickens! :)

The rest of the week...

We hit the library this week...
Emmalee:
Poppy (a story about a mouse - fun reading)
How to Draw Animals (and has done a TON of drawings)
Creating with Mosiac
Kids Money Making Ideas (to plan better their "refreshment stand" idea for summer)

Cody:
Pokemon Story book (fun reading)
he is on the waiting list for "Pillage"
Build your Own Website (uh? really? says mom feeling nervous...)

Cameron:
Some Avatar Books (getting him to read)
Unplugged Play (a huge book of activity ideas that require no mordern day electronics to entertain)

We have also taken care of our yard, gone shopping at Walmart (figuring out costs and needs), covered various math on all levels with each one and finished the last 6 chapters of "Summer of the Monkeys" together. It's been a good week. A little lazy...but fun anyway!

Monday April 20th

Today was a little unstructured, but profitable nonetheless. ;)

I had a funeral for a childhood friends husband so the kids spent the morning at Gram's. Cam took his math book and did multiple pages. Emma took hers and did two in her algerbra book. Cody played with McKenly. LOL.

We came home and they helped me empty out the trailer and then they played together. They caught a fly, took off ones of it's wings (ewww!) and worked together to try and teach it tricks. (ok...something I just dont want to know! LOL) We also learned how to play a new game together as a family (Arne). It was a little hard, but taught good thought problem and strategy skills.

Spring Break?

LOL! Do we really have to take a break from school for Spring Break? I know that sounds like a very silly question - but I am wondering what merit it would have? Cam's last official public school day was today. The thought of taking the rest of the week off seems counter productive to me. And so... we are continuing our UnSchooling for the rest of this week as well.

We need to go get Cam's work books from Costco (I am so glad he is 1st grade! There were TONS for that age group for cheap!), so that will be tommorow's project. We also have a trailer to pack, a menu to plan including ingredients to figure out, clothes to wash, dry, fold, and pack, and then the loading up of it all! I think that is a perfect learning experience! We will consider amounts of food we may need for a family of 6. We will figure out the amount of clothing we will need, and they will also be in charge of researching the weather (it's suppose to be cold 2 of the days we are gone and then warm up) to decide on what kind of clothing we all will need. *grin* Our first camping trip of the season HERE WE COME!

I am also taking with us: their workbooks, some kites, plastic easter eggs to play with, our book we are reading together, the scriptures, some scavenger hunt and puzzles, and some biology info. And there are area maps to explore, hikes to take, and the typical natural children adventures to take. :) We will also start a little bit of our astronomy explorations... if the clouds are cooperative!

It promises to be a fantastic Spring "Break"! *GRIN*

Homeschool Update

Homeschool is great! I thought it would be a LOT harder than it is. We are usually done by noon and get to "play" together etc the rest of the day. I love having the one on one time without them without them being antsy to go play with friends (since the friends are at school). They ALL love it!

Cam has missed a ton of school lately for his arm, asthma etc. He keeps asking if he can come home this year too. I kept putting him off because the year is almost over and he is SUCH a structure type personality, but he has done really well at home with us the last few weeks on and off. His agressiveness has greatly decreased (he is a poke ya, push ya, bug someone all the time kind of kid) and I can't believe how much more calm he has been. I wonder if the less stimulating environment of home will help him as well... I finally just went to the district on friday and signed him out. *gulp* We'll see how it goes... LOL! Wish me luck!

Can I just say I NEVER would have thought I would be a homeschool type person?? NEVER! LOL! If you had told me in January I would be homeschooling all of my kids by April I would have laughed until I had tears running down my cheeks! I never would have believed it. And now... I can't imagine sending them back anytime soon! The closeness we have as a family is amazing. I laugh though.. the one thing I see as a down side - They never turn off! LOL! Now that home is their classroom... they don't come home and turn off. We have educational discussions EVERYWHERE! Even through my bathroom door as I am trying to have a few moments alone with my porcelin furniture! Jess is amazed he says. He can't believe how "alive" they are now. Everything seems to catch their interest and we talk a TON!

Quick Example - Cody has gotten DEEP into genetic modification - he's almost 10 remember - he just now came up and told me "Did you know they made a mouse that glows in the dark?? They took some gene particles from a jelly fish that glows and with a mechanical device inserted it into the DNA strand of a mouse! wicked huh!!? Now the mouse glows at night!" LOL! Bet I never would have heard THAT from my regularly public schooled 4th grader! LOL! It is a ton of fun! Cody especially has grown by leaps and bounds.

The hardest part I have found is other people's perception of us. I went from "being like everybody else" to "going against the grain" and I am amazed at how many people think I am SO different from them. The comments are sometimes quite hurtful. I am just amazed... and I really hope I was not one of those who thoughtlessly made comments that hurt. I am not some super mom. I am not any better than anyone else. I am the same. I just have made a different choice for my kids right now. And I am enjoying it. I am not seeking to talk anyone into it when I ramble about all the fun we are having. I am not choosing one method of schooling over another! I think public school has great merit! I am not against charter schools or even private schools! I am not against un-schoolers or those who take their children abroad to have their sole education. I just know the promptings that I have regarding MY kids have been AWESOME for us as a family right now... and I think it's fun to share *grin* I hope you all dont mind! And I hope none of you think I am any different now because I do homeschool! LOL

Ugh. Thanks for letting me get THAT off my chest! LOL! It has been festering without words for some time now. LOL. Homeschooling at the Dorius Household ROCKS!

Bottling Butter

Today for "Home Ec" Emmalee helped me try something new that I have been wanting to learn!
We heated the jars, followed the recipe, got a little messy...

And Wha-la! We bottled butter! We ended up with 7 half pints for 3 lbs of butter (with a little left over ;) ) VERY COOL!!!

It was good Mommy and Me time too!

Un Schooling

We have decided to move to ALL unschooling for the next two weeks. I feel like they need to rediscover their own natural curiosity and desire to learn. No more of mom chasing down this project or the next... just mom being here to guide them if they need it... but pursue what you want to learn without someone telling you when to start, how long and when to stop, what and where and how to learn. I like the concept alot in helping them nurture their own sense of self...

So I announced it today before we started school. They both looked at me a little nervously and in disbelief, yet after a few clarifications and such... they were PUMPED!
Emmalee decided she wanted to research Rabbits. Then she started making a power point to exhibit to us!

I didn't even know she knew how to do a power point!! VERY COOL!

Cody played with some ideas and then settled down to a Science book. He has been glued to it all day!! He has told me all about gravity, and molecules, and atoms and genetic modification! He then decided he was interested in the animals they listed that have been genetically modified and took off into the All About Animals books we have to research them.

He started thinking maybe he would like to be a scientist when he grows up and play with genetics and their codes and such. WHOA! Talk about DEEP! And he isn't even 10! LOL

Caleb wanted to cut some paper and make a "caterpillar". He quickly discovered that the pieces became like a puzzle!! Oh! Was he ever excited!! He spent over half an hour cutting them out and then putting them back together! He LOVES puzzles! LOL!

We also discussed the Law of the Fast and how it blesses others, and us as well. And Emma had a short lesson from our neighbor Amy about sewing/hemming pants!

It has been a FABULOUS day! My kids are so smart and curious! And I LOVE it!! *THIS* is what teaching your children and homeschooling them is all about!

Math studies...

With a helper!

It looks more like Soph is trying to talk Emma into playing hookie if you ask me!! LOL! I mean how do you read a book when there is a fluffy butt on top of it?? LOL LOL

Iron in the dirt...

...that the magnets could find!

I have been meaning to post these for a while now! This was the dirt experiment we did in our yard. There was definately different amounts of iron in the different dirt piles in the yard!


And then the cute museum they did so show off their findings!

I have such smart kidlets! They are so fun!!

We had a "not as productive as I would have liked at homeschool" day yesterday. Jess was home (again) and so I put him to work with me in the office to clear out supply house invoices and get bills made up. It was an all day project with preschool carpool to do, but it feels SOO great to have it done! The kids worked around us... but we didn't get in depth with anything like we will the rest of this week...

We did:

Math -
Emmalee is working on pre-algebra story problems. She is doing really well! Her story was about the game of golf and figuring out par, birdies and bogies. Now I have to admit... we are not a golfing family (aside from pretending we know what we are doing on Wii Golf... )so it was a learning experience for all of us in the room! LOL She did 3 pages of practice.

Cody worked on division. He completed 2 pages in his workbook.

We also did our St Patricks day word search puzzle that we missed last week. Then I taught them how and let them make their own word search puzzle. Cody made one for Dad and Em made one for me. They did their best handwritting and they did a good job in making it hard to figure out (and it kept them busy for over an hour! LOL)

They both read over an hour and a half. Emma has almost completed the 3rd Harry Potter book. Cody is reading the Ranger's Apprentice.

They also made lunch for each other and played some games they made up.

Today we are going to be more focused! ;)

Who'd have ever thought I would allow this at my house! LOL

Friday Homeschool Classes

Today the two went to their first set of enrichment classes offered by the local charter school just for homeschool families. It is BRILLIANT!!

Lou got to enjoy:
1st period : Computer Lab/Typing
2nd period: Dance
3rd period: Storytelling
4th period: Spanish

Bubba got to enjoy:
1st period : Computer Lab/Typing
2nd period: Storytelling
3rd period: Let's Make Music
4th period: Reading and Writing

They both just gushed over how fun it was! Lou was rattling off the words she had learned in spanish and asking me to help her pronounce them properly. Bubba REALLY enjoyed his reading and writing class.

We did not do much more after I picked them up at 1 pm schoolwise, but I did stop in at DI for a minute after my cardiologist appt and found 6 books for dirt cheap we can use for school!! WAHOO!

Wednesday March 11th

We had a busy day today!

They each completed some math worksheets, Lou did 12 pages just for fun! We read one more chapter of Summer of the Monkeys and discussed it. They each read over an hour again. They did a word cross puzzle on foods, and then we reviewed and completed a packet on the Food Pyramid. We went to the library and got a DVD on the Human body to watch this week, and Lou got a book to read. They each got their own library cards and feel SO grown up! LOL! They also played Wii Fit for about 30 minutes each learning and practicing new exercises.

Today (Thursday) we are bottling chicken with the neighbors, and so it's an off day of sorts... though they both have already done their hours worth of reading and it's only 9:20 am! LOL!

Day 2 for Lou

Today was a little slower. They each read for over an hour this morning - while mom struggled with facing the day. :P

The two of them made zucchini bread together, figuring out measurements from different size cups, as well as learning the cleaning and putting away of ingredients once used, and the reasons behind washing the bread pans as soon as we are done with them and drying them - so they wont rust. And we discussed rust and how it works.

Then they played a game of monopoly.

We had the neighbors over for lunch, and then they worked while I got to visit for a bit with my friend!

They wrote in their journals, Bubba worked on his story (handwriting) and Lou did too (She is just starting one like Bubba's) Bubba also did 2 pages in his Grammer book and Lou worked on 2 pages of her handwriting pages, which double as history pages where she recited to us where Congress and the Senate meet. It was cool!

Then I had them find the Utah map, and they mapped out 2 different ways to take a Christmas present for my cousin to her one of these days soon for a field trip. Bubba gets to tell us where to turn, and we will see how long it takes us to get there! We are going to review more map tomorrow and see if we can discover a coal mine community we can visit here soon! *grin*

Monday Mar 9th

Today was day 1 for Lou. We had a good time!

Lou did:
* 2 pages long multiplications
* Read for an hour
* Researched 15 words and their meanings from the dictionary and taught them to us
* Set up her work station here in the office
* Wrote a letter to a family member she admires, and learned about letters and addressing envelopes
* Flew kites outside with Bubba
* Gathered iron from the dirt around our house and discovered where had the most. Then she and Bubba created a "museum display" and had each member of our family "visit" while they explained their findings!

Bubba did:
* 2 pages of math - multiplication too
* Read for an hour
* Worked on his dragon story
* Decorated his desk with the photos he took at Disneyland last fall
* Wrote a letter to a cousin in AZ and learned how to address an envelope too
* Flew kites with Lou
* Used magnets to gather iron with Lou

They also played 2 games of chess together.

It was a good busy day!

And then there were two...

Wow. I have been chasing this feeling for weeks. I have tried to squash it, ignore it, forget it, and avoid it. But I truly have known for a couple of weeks...and well... I must say I am not as nervous as I was when it first raised it's head!

Emmalee is joining us in homeschool. There are a myraid of reasons I could list and explain and justify... but well... the bottom line is that it will be best for her. It will also be wonderful for Cody. (they are best friends after all) and really it will free me up a bit to continue to run our two businesses a bit during business hours because they can drill each other. I really am pleased at the prospect... although the "detox phase" I am praying will be shorter since Cody is able to help her some with it... LOL!

My only reservation was that Cameron might feel left out or sad that we do school without him. I dont want him to be sad! So I asked if he was interested in homeschool. His response STILL makes me giggle! I got " Naw! 1st grade is much more fun that being at home! And besides I can't have recess at home!!" Bwahahahahaha!!!!!!

Ahhhh... that kid! He makes my day!

And so... starting Monday morning... we are officially a homeschool for 2 and half children! *grin*

Wed. Update for the week

Well... here we are and wednesday is over I haven't gotten it down how our week has gone! LOL! See how I am?

The last 3 days we have done math and grammer and reading and spelling every day. But then we have done something much more important with our time. We have been serving. Cody has helped me in playing with and entertaining Caleb and a neighbor boy while his momma tended to his daddy in the hospital. Cody has done a great job of praticing child care, he has helped me make meals, wash faces and play games. They have had a great time!

He also has finished his last Fablehaven book this week and we are two chapters into reading Summer of the Monkeys together. He also has started to finish the book his teacher was reading to them (Al Capone Does My Shirts). Today we went to the library in search of information on how movies are made, and realized how limited our library really is. (If any of you have any great ideas on where we can get some good info on movie making - the actual dynamics of the camera and how it works - we would love some direction) I think we are going to have to suck it up and pay the fee to get a Provo/Orem library card (Or beg Gram to let us use hers! LOL) And so we switched subjects on his "what I want to know" list and are going to study anatomy starting tommorow. We got a CD Rom that has info and games and it should be a good time. I am also going to do some digging for a few good enrichment ideas from my homeschool support group!

All in all, even though we haven't been IN the office with school... it has been a learning week nonetheless! *wink*

Last week of Feb

So... I am on top of things! LOL! We have not blogged about our progress last week! I started a zoo day post too I will finish... but here's the run down:

Tuesday - We reviewed addition. We did timed pages and Cody was so quick! We also played a dice game and he smoked me as well! He did 2 pages of reading practice, 2 pages of language. He worked on his story about dragons. We also starting looking into the earth rotation and seasons

Wednesday - Zoo day! We took Emma, and since Caleb still had a small fever we took him as well! Dad had to look at a job in the same city as the Zoo, so when he was done he met us up there! It was a lot of fun! Cody made a list of how long the animal lives and where it comes from before we left and he found answers to most all of the animals on his list!

Thursday - We did 2 pages of math, 2 pages of spelling & grammer. We used part of the day to clean our house together.

Friday - Cody did 3 pages of math from his workbook, 2 pages of Reading. He made an art valentine for his friend Rachel at school since she wasn't there for Valentine's Day. He worked on building a train set up with Caleb & Jesse. We played 2 rounds of Monopoly.

I know we did a lot more... I just can't remember it all. *GRIN* It was a busy week!

Home School Zoo Day

Cody made up a list of all the animals he thought he might see and put a line for how long they live and where they come from. He worked on it throughout the whole zoo and only missed about 7 animals on his 3 page list!

A peacock!

A spider monkey

Lubby liked the elephants... as did Bubba - they are his FAVORITE!

The ever-peeing rhino was a memorable attraction

Up close and personal!

The black bears were not hibernating as we thought they may be!

The baby giraffe is almost all grown up!

Petting a turtle in "Grandma's House"

"It's so cute Mom!"

him? not so much!

"Aunt Jenny would LOVE these!!"

hmmm.... not so sure I am likin' how big they are getting!

A little girl (probably 5 or so) turned to her mom as we were looking at these and said:

"Mom...remember them wise men? They forgot their rides!"

Bwahahahaha! It was so darn cute!!

A zoo keeper was showing off this gorgeous baby! We learned about how they turn their heads and what they eat... it was really neat!

Caleb waiting IMPATIENTLY for the train... LOL

"Is it really goin' to go Bubba?"

Dad & Em

"All Aboard!!!"

We had SO much fun at the Zoo!!!

Sign Ups and Library Run

We got Cod's all signed up for the classes at the Charter School. I have a few questions about it still... but will seek my answers tommorow.

Then we went to the School Supply store... there we browsed books and such and dreamed.

Cody and I BOTH want to learn to play the piano! I am so pleased! That was so exciting to share together! It gives me more incentive to watch KSL closer and see if we can find one cheap for now. :) I have dreamed of playing since I was a little girl. I could listen to the piano for hours! There was a book there on teaching yourself... and we both were like worms with our noses in the book. A new adventure to strive for... and save up for! *wink*

We then went to the library. I found 3 Home School books I wanted to research more on, we got 2 books on Season's and the Earth's rotation for the week, and I got our names on a list to get "Summer of the Monkey's" when it comes back in for me to read aloud to him and Caleb. I read it a long time ago... and have wanted to re-read it again. I am looking forward to it. :) Then I think we should read "A Wrinkle in Time"... that was fun as a kid to... I think he might enjoy it.

Any other suggestions for fun reading? Our shared reading time I want to be fun and involving.... for ALL of us 3... and remember... Caleb's is just shy of 4! LOL

Starting Again - Last week of Feb - Mon

Hi! We are back at it today! Yea! Caleb has finally been diagnosed with strep (longer strep test) so in 24 hours all will be on antibiotics and we are headed to a full recovery! :)

Today Cody has:
* Read for over an hour - started his next Fablehaven book
* Done 2 Math pages and we played a dice game - speed: whoever can total the numbers the fastest wins... I am not as fast as he is! ack!
* Done 2 Language pages and reviewed analogies & idioms. (that was fun! I like sarcasm! tee hee)
* Had a fun coloring activity. We had him draw something that make him feel relaxed... he drew a detailed picture of a camp fire... including him looking relaxed... which turned out to look more like he needed to pee... we laughed and laughed!
* He also:
- played with the Leap Frog Letters and Numbers with Caleb and helped him practice some
- watched an episode of "Modern Marvels" with Dad - about Carbon. He learned how pencils are made (one of his desires! wahoo!) and more about the process of coal and it's use.

Now that lunch is over we are headed to sign him up for some classes at a local Charter School where the homeschoolers in our area meet, and to the library... he is ready to start some research on the change of seasons and the earth's rotation!

We also need to get some books on animals as we are heading to the Zoo on Wednesday for the Free Homeschooler's Day put on by our local Zoo. :)

Thankful for Sunshine! :)

What an awful few days we have had! Apperantly our little family likes to defy the odds and try new things. (ha ha) The Dr's said we could not have strep because it doesn't present with a cough! And that fevers from strep should be gone within 24hours... and Cam kept his for 3 days.

So all 3 of the older ones ended up with strep... though because of timing and confusing at the Dr's office, they only have *all* been on antibiotics for just shy of 24 hours now. All the kids have ALSO had a viral chest cold... which in taking my grey/blue 3 yr old to the ER yesturday, they said was Bronchitis/RSV. Joy! LOL! They have all been *really* sick. We have had coughs, vomitting, aches, pains, blue spells, tears and sleepless nights. Add that to the fun of endless breathing treatments, and various medications (I had to keep a list to know when who had what! LOL) for the last 4 days... and oh boy! *I* started with fever, bodyaches, painful cough and extreme fatigue yesterday morning. We have been a barrel of fun this week!!

So... Our first official week of Home school has been delayed somewhat... which is one of the blessings of Home schooling anyway...right? We aren't behind... we will just begin where we left off!! *grin*

This afternoon, those on antibiotics, though still contagious, are finally feeling a bit better, so they have been quietly playing outside in this lovely 50 degree weather and sun we are finally being blessed with!! (Yea... for me... I am going to go take some more tylenol and lay down in the quiet! tee hee hee)

We will comence again with our studies Monday Morning! ;)

Day 2

Today we have lost a bit of momentum...but with good reason. :)

We took Cam to the Dr. last night, and despite no tonsils, the boy has strep. This morning Emma & Caleb both aren't feeling well and have fevers.

Today Cody & I started with some timed math sheets, a reading exercise and 2 grammer pages. He read his Fablehaven for about an hour... and he started to say he was really tired and didn't feel well. Took his temp and sure enough 102 temp! Yeah sweetheart! I think you dont feel good! He was really torn between being sad to cancel the rest of "school" and thankful to just go curl up with the other 3 and be sick in front of a movie.

So... we did SOME school... but the day is a wash. Tylenol, Motrin, Benedryl and breathing treatments... that is the regime for this day. And maybe some antibiotics if not better tomorrow. :) So fun!

Day 1 - Continued...

Cody called me in to see what he had been working on.... I am IMPRESSED!

This is the sorting cycle of coal....

How's that for creative and fun??

Day 1 - Second Half

We have had SUCH fun! After lunch, since we couldn't go to the library with a sick Cam, Cody started reading out of an old encyclopedia about Coal. He has taken all kinds of notes and written *more* things he wants to learn from the info he got out of it on coal! We have decided we want to visit a coal mine and get some coal to try some experiments with. Did you know that coal floats? that is how they sort it out from rocks! (purty cool dude!)

Then he read his Fablehaven book for about an hour. I went down and was cleaning the kitchen when he came down with one of his Activity Books. We did a science experiment!

Meet Cody the Penny Washer!! LOL
We took vinegar and salt and mixed them until it was clear...

Then we added dirty pennies to the water... (Caleb LOVED this!)

After a few minutes he took half of them out and rinsed them with water. The other half he laid on a paper towel without rinsing. The ones that were rinsed stayed pretty and clean. The ones not rinsed started to darken and turn blue-ish green as the air made *another* chemical reaction. It was really cool!

I was most impressed that the older the penny... the shinier it could become! Makes ya wonder if newer pennies are not all copper!

The shiniest of all was this 1960 penny!

Next time we are going to try dimes and nickles and see what happens! (we emptied out our solution before he thought of it... and his momma needs to get more vinegar! LOL)

Now he is playing legos with Caleb and creating his own layers of coal with them so he can teach his Dad when he gets home! *GRIN* Most of the ideas of today came from HIM! I have done litle but support him and ask questions... he loves being able to teach me what he has learned!

He came up to me earlier and said he felt like this was "the opportunity of a lifetime"! He wanted to know how long he could be homeschooled because he doesn't want it to end! :)

First Day of Un-School

LOL! Ok ok... so we aren't following the Unschooling Method very well yet today... but hey! No one's perfect! (tee hee)

So far today Cody has:
* Cleaned his room in the house (living room) and done his chores
* Dressed & breakfast, as well as got the other kids out of bed, Emma off to school and got Caleb dressed! (And I got a shower because of it! Thanks Bubba!)
* 2 pages of Math - Place values & a dice game
* He has read to me his story he had been working on at school (wow! I have an amazing detail writer on my hands! And his reading abilities are phenomenal! I was entranced while he was reading!) and now he is writing the next chapter! :)

We have covered: reading, writing, math, grammar, problem solving (he has been worried about his pencil box being left at school and he shared all the ways he thought of to get it back (ie; asking different friends etc). WAHOO! It's not even 11 am! *giggle*

We were planning on a big library trip today & possibly a trip to DI for a book explore, as well as creating our daily logs and getting our timeline/Goals set up - but Cam is home sick (again!) and my computer is still at the shop! So were are improvising today. :)

Our next project: He wants to start his research on how coal is turned into energy. Science here we come!

Sweet finds!

We found a set of office chairs on KSL for dirt cheap! And I also found both the Home Schooling books I wanted my own copies of used on Amazon for a grand total with shipping of $15. YEA!

Jess got Cody's desk moved to the office, and it is almost all set up. He also has repaired the light/fan combo in the office and so it is going to get put back together tonight.

Today was my last day with no kids (Caleb was at Preschool). It was bittersweet - but joyful too. I went to the temple and did initiatories. It was a perfect ending of my "days off" for a while.

Cody is sitting at this desk as we speak - workin' away. He has already started a few of his research desires...

This is going to be FUN! *wink*

My heart is sick...

We had to send the following email tonight:

I wanted to share my outrage and utter disappointment at a situation that happened at the Beekeeping 4H class I took my 9 yr old son to tonight. During the presentation, the instructor attempted to bring up a picture of a bee swarm to show the children, and instead brang up two seperate photos of nude women! I am VERY hesitant to allow my son to continue this class, but as his heart has been set on beekeeping since age of 5, I find myself quite torn. Should the instructor bring up any further INAPPROPRIATE material, I will be notifying the proper authorities immediately! And should he be the leader for the regular clubs following this class my son will not be attending. The instructors reaction to the "accidental" images was LESS than heartfelt or apologetic for what may now be seared on my sons memory for life. I thought you should be made aware as I was not positive your 4H representative was in the room at the time, nor could I catch her for comment after class. Please contact me if you have any questions. (801-836-8726) Jestin Dorius

My "mantra" on the right side of your screen...

So, I have moved the thought for the day from our family blog to this one - I was struggling with changing the daily thought over there for fear I would loose it - and it has made such an impact on my resolve and motivation in this homeschooling endeavor.

Find a purpose in life so big it will challenge every capacity to be at your best!~~ David O. McKay

What better way of reminding me that mothering this child of God is my purpose in life - and right now this is how God needs me to mother him.

I have to admit... Satan is playing on me. Last night I felt sort of a panic about my qualifications/abilities/desires/motivations to actually follow through with this - and possibly long term:

* What if my brilliant son falls behind because of me?
* What if I neglect to teach him something he needs to know?
* What if my health issues crop up again and we are left with failure?

Fail. Fail. Fail. He chants this in my ear. Really he does.

Which is why I am so stubbornly moving forward despite my deepest fears. This must truly be guidance from my Heavenly Father if Satan wants me to feel so despairingly about it in dark moments. And of course, the day I begin to struggle with myself about our decision, Cody wanders in with a new list of things he can't wait to start learning, and how excited he is; and being sick and sitting down I pick up my "Everything Home Schooled Book" from the library and the next chapter reviews my concerns. *Peace* It will be fine. It will be wonderful! I need to get to a Book Store and buy this book (OH! As well as the book Bubba needs for his Beekeeping class this Friday! Blast this sickness! I am getting myself behind! ack!) It has been such an amazing resource and is so full of websites etc I can gather support and resources from, it is a must have. I will use it again and again I believe.

We also have been invited to Free Homeschooling Day at the Zoo. One day in the last week in Feb Hoogle Zoo lets homeschooling families come for free... and they have worksheets and animal enrichment activities etc for the kids! Both Caleb and Cody will love that! I hope it is as nice and warm of a day as today was! *wink*

I have started some lesson plans. I have decided to "detox" Cody from traditional schooling the last two weeks of Feb by making trips to the Library, the used book store & making more lesson plans together. We also need to get our Home School log made up - one that he can fill out - and I would like to give him free reading time and time to finish the story he started at school that he is really looking forward to having time to finish. We will set up his study area and a basic daily schedule. He will be as hands on as I am in this - and I think the two week break will give him some down time from bells and schedules...

We are going to try mostly an eclectic homeschooling method: I want most of it to be the Un-schooling method, as I believe he will flourish the most on this system, but we all will do some Unit study, with some Workbook/Curriculum based study here and there. We are open to most of the learning styles and I am interested to see which ones fit Cody the best and with which subjects. Now...to only have him decide where he wants to start... LOL

I am getting more nervous and excited as the days go by.... what an adventure!

Adding to his list...

So, Cody brought me his list of things he wants to learn about last night... he has added quite a few... here is a small portion of the things that make him go hmmm....

* Why do we itch?
* How do you make or find diamonds?
* How is sunlight turned to energy?
* How do they make the internet?
* How does sunblock work?
* Is all cloth made from sheeps wool?
* What makes cars work?
* How exactly did the dinosaurs die?

Oh boy! Doesn't that sound like an absolute blast?? *GRIN*

Cody's Free Desk :)

Preparations...

Well... it's been a productive day or two! I was blessed to check Freecycle yesterday and a BYU student was getting rid of their desk/cabinet for free!! I went to pick it up and though it has a few blemishes on it... Cody will now have his own "space". *GRIN* It matches *my* desk in the office too! LOL

Also...we went to Costco today and picked up 4 curriculum workbooks for his age group - and he wanted one for Caleb so he can teach Caleb too!! wahoo!

Another addition to his passion for learning list:
How is coal turned into energy? :)

Just to name a few...

Here are a few of the subjects Cody has listed on his list of things he wants to know more about:

* How does the earth's rotation effect the seasons in different sides of the earth?
* Why is the Sun a star?
* How do they make movies?
* What is the cycle of water? Why do clouds have rain in them and how does it get there?
* How do they make paper out of trees? and can we make our own?
* What does it take to be a beekeeper and make honey? Can I do it? (He has the Utah County Beekeepers Assoc wanting him to write an essay on why he would want to do it and they sponsor a certain # of adolescents each year with their own hive, equipment and support! He is THRILLED)
* Why do plants need sunlight? and why is it their "food"?

We have also discussed learning to make bread, algebra and making an indoor greenhouse! He also wants to be very involved in our family garden this year! :)

Boy... am I going to learn a lot! Bwahahahaha

It is Official

I went to the District Office yesturday. There was a quick form to fill out - they had a notary on site and I handed it over. Legally I am Cody's teacher now. He will continue to attend until Feb 13th... but then we are off and running. I am so excited for us both!

Cody has a long list of things he can't wait to start studying! I will post some of them this afternoon!

There are a variety of Home Schooling Support Group's online and they have all encircled me with open arms and great encouragement.