Still Learning Lessons

Oh My GOODNESS!! What a week+, we have had! It seems like Team Drennan is taking care of their issues within the span of a couple of months. At least that is what I am telling myself. LOL My favorite saying lately is, "A girl can dream, can't she!!" 

Anyway, school is getting done but not as quickly as I had planned. Honestly, our schedule had been so disrupted that I only plan ONE (1) day at a time now.  Yep! That's right. The visions of weeks of lesson planned are no longer dancing in my head. I am now a realist plus, I was really wearing out my eraser and figured this was a much better use of my time and energy to just stop the madness.

Friday week, our AC went out and it took them until Tues morning to get it working. Right after that resolved itself (or was repaired), the septic system took a dive so there was that issue to deal with. (No description needed!) Fortunately, the Lord blessed us and the repairs to both systems were minor in the scheme of things and didn't cost near as much as we expected. Factor in the fact that, Kiddo had his bi-annual cleaning AND I had to make an emergency trip to the eye doctor because my new contacts didn't agree with me AND Kiddo had a follow up appointment with his asthma/allergy doctor AND our Crystal Springs Preserve monthly trip fell on this week AND Awana started at our church AND swim practice times kept changing AND Kiddo had to put in a 2 mile run before he ran his first cross country meet this past Saturday.  WHEW!! I'm exhausted just writing all of that! 

Nevertheless, school was done and lessons were learned. Some of it was purely doing math in the car by me quizzing him and going over history lessons by having him re-tell me stories and "clarify" things I couldn't exactly remember. He loves to think he's smarter than me! To be honest, many times he is and I am blown away by the amount he retains. I kick myself every time he does this, because half the time I am not even sure he is paying attention and then BAM!!, he shows me that he was paying attention! 

To be fair, with the exception of the household issues and doctors' appointments, the rest was pretty fun! I am thankful that I have allowed us the grace and simmered down and not stressed.....well not as much as I used to.... about getting everything on MY list done. 

Kiddo impressed me and showed so much fortitude with his first cross country meet this past Saturday. We got up at O'dark Thirty to be at the event by 630am. He ran at 9 against Middle school JV and V kids from all over the state.  He did great!! He finished and had a huge smile on his face when he saw his Grandma, cousins, Mom, Dad and his coach on the sidelines cheering him on! I was (am still am) very proud of him. This after only ONE (1) month of training. This from a kid that for all intents and purposes is perfectly happy sitting on the couch playing video games. He showed me that it's okay to push him because he will rise to the challenge. Not only will he rise but he actually likes it. Not to mention the fact, that seeing his confidence increase along with his physical endurance brings tears to this momma's eyes.

So, as a family we have persevered and pray that we get a break for a little while. But at least we know that "we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us." (emphasis mine - Phillipians 4:13). 

I also have been reminded that Kiddo is capable of so much more than he lets on that he can do. I am going to try and challenge him more with my expectations of his work and the things we do at our humble learning environment.  

That's it kiddies -- that's how this momma homeschools this week!! (Again, just taking it a day at a time and trying to be FLEXIBLE!)

An Internal Struggle

TGIF!!! TGIF!!! This week seems like it has gone on forever and that is no reflection on the homeschool part of our life. I have to keep reminding myself that "flexibility" is my mantra for this year. The problem is that "OCD-compulsive-list-making-rule following" side of me!! SHE needs to understand that we need to be ready to change on a dime. Some weeks are easier at this than others and I can keep her happily at bay when it all goes according to plan. But the past couple of weeks, SHE has been none-to-happy with me and my new love affair with my eraser.

Honestly, I have the hardest time not letting things go. I stress about getting it all done!! I stress about not meeting expectations. The problem with this last one is that I haven't been able to determine who's expectations I am not meeting!! My self-imposed LEGALISM is killing me. LOL

I have had to adjust many of the days of work ahead for us to compensate for Kiddo's activities. This is the first year he has been excited about any type of sport. To compound things, he has picked two that he loves (Cross Country and Swimming) that are in the same time of year and currently meet on the same days for practice. The Principal (aka Hubby) and I have never pushed him to stay in a sport or activity once he has tried it to determine if he will like it. These two sports, he relishes. We have seen an improvement in his confidence and his overall ability to focus. One of our reasons for homeschooling was to allow him to stretch his wings and try things he would not otherwise be able to do if he attended brick and mortar schools. Basically, use the time we have together to learn, experience new things and to grow!

A brief aside for a little momma brag: His swim coach told me yesterday that Kiddo was a pleasure to coach because he was eager to learn, responded well to coaching and was focused on improving his form. WOW!! My first response was, "I am so proud" and immediately after, I thought --"do you want to come home and go over math with him too?" Of course, I didn't say anything out loud yet, I thanked him for his kind words and explained we were very proud of him as well.

If I could only find a way to motivate Kiddo like that! I know it's because he's passionate about the sport and he also thinks it's a lot of fun. I am trying to find a way to work that type of approach into sometimes boring subjects. For instance, I must admit I was never a fan of math and that has not changed in my many years around the Sun. Kiddo likes math but struggles with math facts and memorization. He totally gets the complex functions and processes.  Half the time, he teaches me how to do something. We make a good team because I know the math facts and he knows the processes. Unfortunately for him, we can't always do the work together!

I can see it now.......(cue screen fade and dream sequence music here). Kiddo is at his desk at work and the boss needs a report ASAP. Kiddo and I are literally joined at the hip while he works on one part and I work on the other to complete the best doggone report his boss has ever received. Actually, this report will be the report in which all other reports are judged by... UHmmmmmm.. Back to reality here Ms. Paula. A girl can dream, can't she?? Who am I  kidding? I can't even get him to hug or kiss me goodbye in public! I highly doubt he's going to let me go to work with him. LOL  (cue bubble burst and insert reality).

Anyway, what I am basically rambling on about is that we made it another week. We completed the assigned work. Kiddo is actually learning through all the flexibility. He is learning key skills and wonderful character traits in his swimming and cross country. We now have to work on ME!

The "only" problem I have is truly letting it all go and allowing all my personalities (yes, I am talking to you Ms. Compulsive) to relax and just go with it. After all, he's not going to be young forever and I often fail to acknowledge the merits of the education he is receiving outside of math worksheets and lapbooks!

That is honestly how this mom is homeschooling this week! Check back next time and it could be all different.

I'm off to chant my mantra "FLEXIBILITY," "FLEXIBILITY," "FLEXIBILITY..........."

Do I have any hair left?

We are in the thick of the homeschool process and we are ramped up and should be ready to go. Life, however, continues to throw kinks in my plans.

Kiddo really enjoyed his first day at his STEM class on Thursday so that was a "no plan" day for me. I had planned to get some work done on Friday but instead lessons plans were shifted again. (See! That eraser is already getting a workout!! )We've had some health issues at our little abode the last couple of months. Thanks to great insurance and wonderful doctors that want to find out what is wrong with Hubby, scheduling his needs has taken top priority. 

Friday, Kiddo and I changed our writing assignment to list making then combined that with a lesson in economics by visiting our local store to pick up items that we needed for the weekend to help the Principal feel better.  Real-life math lessons came into play with calculating if we were getting the best value when looking at sizes and brands. Later, we continued the science and math aspect of our day with cooking. We were able to utilize measurements, cause effect and time management.  I feel better being able to rationalize it that way!

We did get a little "book learning" in during the day but it was limited and we were really distracted with all that we had going on. 

Monday came and Kiddo went off to a friend's for the day so I could tend to the Principal and take him to some doctor's appointments. I sent Kiddo off with some work that was to be completed. Once he came home, he advised me he only completed one page because he thought it was just busy work!!

Well, that didn't sit too well with me. Kiddo learned a hard lesson today because not only did he have to do yesterday's work that he incorrectly deemed as "busy work" but he also had a full load of work today as well. 

Fortunately, all looks well with the Principal but I discussed with Kiddo today that at almost 11 years old, he is expected to work independently at times. I explained how we work as a team but I can't be there all the time to make sure he gets his work done. 

I know it was a little extreme to have him do everything today and we missed our weekly park day with our homeschool group as a result. I must admit, I didn't intentionally miss park day -- I truly forgot about it because I neglected to put in on my planning calendar. YIKES! I need those park days just as much as he does.  

He did get a lesson in Civics today as we voted in our local Primary! I am glad that he is interested in the democratic process. So, I am putting this one in the "WIN" column for today.

He and I agreed that he will be more focused on getting his work done and  he realized that the more he goofs off, the more work he will have to do in the end. He is going to start using a daily checklist that we created together to make sure he gets his work done. We agreed that there will be days that we don't do it all and are not expected to do it all but at least by looking at the chart, he knows to check to make sure.

At this point, I am just trying to get both of us back in the routine of doing school but allowing flexibility to take scheduled, as well as unscheduled, breaks. 

He and I differ on our views of education. I loved school and would have devoted my life to being a professional student if I could have found a way to make a decent living at it. LOL  He, on the other hand, is very laid back and doesn't see the need to "dig deep" and go beyond what is expected. 

It's been one of those days in which I try to remember what it was like when he went to school for the entire day. All I can remember is, how much I missed him! I realize that even on these rough days, I am still called to travel this homeschool journey. That's what I hold onto when I start getting frustrated with him. It's the little things that get me through.

That's how this momma homeschools and today it is all about transparency.

Love my eraser!

Today, I am thankful for my eraser.  That may sound crazy but for a list-making, compulsive Type-A, rule-follower like me, this is HUGE!  One of the many lessons I learned over the past three years on this homeschool ride, is to use pencil when making my lessons plans. YEP! You read that right -- it's a wonderful piece of advice that has saved me hours of "itchy teeth" (my description for something that really bothers me).  ANYWAY...... Today was a day that I had penciled in quite a few activities and nothing went according to plan.

To start, my kiddo had cross country practice at 7am and it lasted until 830am. After we arrived at home, we had breakfast  and then it was off to the dentist for his 6 month check up.  Our Principal (aka Dad) had a couple of doctor appointments today but had time to go with us to lunch. So, we took him up on his invite and trudged across town to our local Mellow Mushroom to eat at 1974 prices. TODAY only!! Woo hoo! I love a good bargain.

Once we finally got home, all of us were too tired to start school. Kiddo did make it to the school room and completed his required 30 minutes of vision therapy exercises. During that time, I just moved all the activities I had planned to Friday and conveniently erased it from today!!!

That's what I love about this freedom I have allowed for myself.  FLEXIBILITY, FAMILY, FUN and FREEDOM and of course there is learning through life lessons in there too!

Tomorrow is another day and Kiddo will go to his morning STEM classes. I am sure this will not be the last time I get to use my little pink friend during our school year.

I'm not saying this is the right way to do things, but this is how this momma homeschools!

We're Back......sort of....

We started almost 2 weeks ago but I have been lax in taking the obligatory beginning of the year photo or even posting about our return to our home classroom complete with new books, papers, pencils and all the normal "school" flair.  My original intent was that we would school through the summer so there would be no actual "First Day of School," rather "a constant progression of learning with frequent breaks" was more my plan. But I should have learned by now in my many years of revolving around on planet Earth -- Paula doesn't always get her way.

I digress and shift back a couple of month. It started on Saturday morning April 19th when I received a frantic early morning text then a phone call from my mother. My brother was in ICU after emergency brain surgery and was clinging to life on a ventilator. She had suffered through the wee hours of the morning without calling because she didn't want to bother me. OY VEY!!! Anyway, the world shifted upside down and we can began a very hectic ride on a very unpleasant roller coaster.

Suffice it to say, I basically moved to the hospital located 45 minutes away to wait with my mother around the clock until we got some direction from the doctors. During that time we prayed and waited. All the while, schooling stopped for us and my kiddo was shipped off to wonderful families that were willing to take him into their homes while hubby and I held vigil with my family. Two weeks passed on with this ordeal and my brother was deemed to have no brain activity. He never regained consciousness and we had to honor his advanced directive and remove him from life support. SIGH!!!  As very blessed side note, he was an organ donor and his gift saved the lives of three people.

The following weeks were spent planning a funeral, dealing with grieving, caring for his minor children and establishing some sense of normalcy in our lives. As a result of his death, his minor children were placed into the custody of my mother. In order to help her out, we took my nephew with us for a month. Not that we were in the mood or frame of mind to school, but it was very hard to attempt to school with my nephew here. He attends public school and in his mind, he was on vacation and also in a period of mourning.  Rightfully so! Plus, none of us had the emotional energy to "buckle down." So, we enjoyed ourselves and tried to make him as happy as possible with the passing of his dad.

A couple of weeks later, hubby came down with something and to this day he is seeing doctor after doctor to try and figure it out. So, here we are!! April came in like a LION and kept roaring all through the summer and it still purring pretty loudly in August.

I must say that we have been doing a pretty good job of getting some school work done and my star pupil has stepped up this year. Hard to believe he is in the 5th grade. It is amazing how independent he can be when I get out of the way!!

I tested him all the first week using Hewitt Homeschooling PASS testing to give me a benchmark. The second week (last week), we started our curriculum but I haven't added everything in just yet. We are taking BIG baby steps (how's that for an oxymoron?) and biting off big pieces but not shoveling in the whole thing.

Here's the line up for us this year:

• My Father's World - Rome to Reformation
• Math U See
• IEW - Writing
• Winston Grammar (which he enjoys  -- really, he loves to do this program)
• Phonetic Zoo
• Rosetta Stone (Spanish)
• Handwriting without Tears (general cursive review)
• SKrafty - Minecraft Classes
• STEM classes weekly with our homeschool group 
• Cross Country Team
• Stroke School in preparation for the swim team

I am sure I am forgetting something and you know what? -- That's okay!! I've had a lot on my plate and it's completely understandable. I am giving myself permission to just roll with it this year and take it literally one day at a time! I know God is Good - all the time -- All the time -- God is Good!! 

Hope everyone has a blessed school year!! 

Taking it a day at a time,

Paula