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

1st Day Top 10 List

Monday will be here soon!! I can't wait to really dig in. G on the other hand, has put in his request to take it easy on him!! I will, I will!! I advised him Monday will be like the first day of school when he went to public school with some slight differences.

Top 10 Ways our 1st day of school will differ from our Public School Counterparts:

1. Mommy doesn't get to attend the "Woo-Hoo Boo-Hoo" after I have said good-bye to my little munchkin. Thus, no free donuts, juice and talk about all we're going to accomplish with all this free time. (What is 'free-time' anyway??)
2. We can sleep in since our commute only involves walking into the dining room.
3. No back packs or lunches to pack.
4. No need for introductions or feeling shy, since we all know each other.
5. No ironing of uniforms or school clothes! (Not that I iron anyway!)
6. No need for name tags, tours of the school or explanation of school policies.
7. Mommy doesn't need to sign up for PTA events and/or to bring snacks for class. In this establishment, I already wear all those hats!
8. We allow our dog to go to school with us (reluctantly at times) versus allowing her to stare out the window as we drive away for the entire day.
9. We can move around and not have to sit in our seats all day long! Heck, we'll probably lay on the couch and/or beanbag chair to get some reading in.
10. We get to wear our PJs to school!!! (Not that there aren't a few parents out there who drive their kiddos to school wearing their robes. That is not the same as, Junior is more than mortified and hopes no one sees him being dropped off.)

Whatever you do and whenever you start!! I hope it's a fabulous stress-free day!! Make each day your own and learn as you go!! As always, remember -- you can accomplish a lot in your PJs. We do!!