Homeschooling update and pictures

We've been officially doing school for 6 weeks.  It's going great!  It has been hard some days figuring out how to get things done with a 2 1/2 year old and a 9 month old.  I've had to relax and take it day by day.  Some days we get all or our work done in the morning and some days we have to wait until nap time.  Camron likes to do "cool" too so I try to include him in as much fun stuff as I can.
Brandon and I went to the Master's co-op parent orientation tonight.  Carson will be going to co-op classes once a week on Friday mornings from 8:30-12.  He will be taking a Bible class, Handwriting class, PE class and a phonics/reading class.  I will be working in the nursery/preschool room while he has classes.  We went to a back to school picnic out at Tannehill State Park last week and he met some of the other children that will be in his room.  I think he is going to have fun.

Homeschooling

Why home school?  I've wanted to home school my children for as long as I can remember.  I've been asked a few times about my reasons for homeschooling so here they are.

I love the idea of teaching them and learning with them daily.  We have so much fun together and I love having them with me.

I believe God gave me these blessings to raise in his way and I'm going to do the best job that I can.  I believe teaching my boys about God is most important and public schools do not do that.  Honestly, it's not their job nor do I want it to be.

I believe that family is important.  Call me over protective, I don't care.  I want to have the most influence over them at this young age.  They are young and I want to protect them and keep them innocent for as long as possible.

I believe that no one wants my children to succeed more than me.  I know I will do everything I can to ensure that they do succeed.  Can I possibly teach them everything?  No, but there are lot's of resources in our community and opportunities available to them that they would not have in public school.

I want them to be able to study those things that they are passionate about. I love that Carson is excited about learning.

These are just some of the many reasons homeschooling is the right decision for us.

Homeschooling update

We've been officially doing school for 6 weeks.  It's going great!  It has been hard some days figuring out how to get things done with a 2 1/2 year old and a 9 month old.  I've had to relax and take it day by day.  Some days we get all or our work done in the morning and some days we have to wait until nap time.  Camron likes to do "cool" too so I try to include him in as much fun stuff as I can.

Brandon and I went to the Master's co-op parent orientation tonight.  Carson will be going to co-op classes once a week on Friday mornings from 8:30-12.  He will be taking a Bible class, Handwriting class, PE class and a phonics/reading class.  I will be working in the nursery/preschool room while he has classes.  We went to a back to school picnic out at Tannehill State Park last week and he met some of the other children that will be in his room.  I think he is going to have fun.

More conversations

Carson:  Mommy, Will there be birthday parties in heaven?
Mom:  I hope so.  I bet we'll have the best birthday parties in heaven.
He really seems to be fascinated with heaven right now.  He asks lot's of questions about heaven.
Carson:  We can't find a star scream anywhere.
Mom:  I'm sorry.  We'll just keep looking.
Carson:  Just go buy it on ebay :)

First day of school

Today was our first "official" day of Kindergarten.  Carson has been begging to start school since his birthday in May.  We've been doing "school" for a while but I ordered some new fun stuff for Kindergarten and he's really excited.  I was going to wait until August but it's been so hot lately we've stayed indoors more than usual.  I figured starting a few weeks early wouldn't be a big deal.
We went to Chick-fil-A for breakfast because that is what Carson wanted to do.  We all went out to eat and spent some time together before Daddy flew to Baltimore for 2 days.  We stayed and played for a while and then came home and I put Calen down for a nap.
I knew better than to pull everything out and try to do school in the morning.  I thought I had enough things to keep Camron occupied but I was wrong.  I quickly realized that school in the morning was not going to work :)  After a few meltdowns and a few talks we made it through our first day.
The rest of the week went really well.  Carson really enjoys doing "school."  His favorite thing right now is math and bible time.  He is doing really well with Handwriting and he loves to play phonics games.  We really love to read but sometimes I put it off and then forget.  We always read at bedtime but I want more reading throughout the day.  We have made it a point every morning to set a timer for 20 minutes and go curl up in bed and read.  I hope that he always loves to learn.

Conversations

Some recent conversations with Carson :)
Carson:  Mom, I want a starscream(transformer).
Me:  No
Carson:  Why?
Me:  Because you don't always get a toy just because you want it.  It cost money and you need to earn it.
Carson:  I can buy it with my check card.
I'm sitting in the chair pumping milk for Calen.
Carson:  Mom, Will you have to take your breast pump to heaven and pump milk for Calen?
Mom:  I hope not.  I'm sure that God will have food for everyone.

Fun week

This week we have had Vacation Bible school at church.  I'm working in the nursery with the bed babies and it's been fun.  I did not want to leave Calen so that is why I decided to do nursery this year instead of helping with a class.  Carson and Camron have had a fun week.  They love to come home and sing the songs they are learning and do the motions.  Carson has been afraid of the opening music just like he was last year.  It's so loud and overwhelming in the sanctuary so he comes in the nursery with me until it's over.  At the end of the week when we had commencement night he actually got up on the stage and sang his song in front of everyone.  I was so surprised and my heart was about to burst.  I love seeing my babies praise God.
One day I was having to pump some milk for Calen and Carson came and sat beside me.  He asked me "Are you going to have to pump milk for Calen in heaven?"  I giggled and said "I don't think so.  We are going to have the best food in heaven and God will make sure that Calen get's just what he needs."  I love those curious little questions he comes up with.  He is growing so fast and he is so amazing.