New Year

I'm really excited about this new year. We seem to take a year at a time. Time seems to go so fast. Ten years ago my life was so different. Ten years ago we were college students. Ten years from now I will have 2 college students. I'm trying to savor every minute our family is together. I'm excited about this year because we have so many fun things planned. Looking at my calendar, we are pretty booked 'til June, with friends, books, and science experiments.

Last week I asked Ed if he would help me with electricity and magnetism. I realize now, that these are my weakest of subjects. In fact, I want nothing to do with them, except to use them at my convenience. But I have no desire to learn about them. Thankfully, he has a firm grasp on how these things work. He was able to put an electric motor together with the kids. Then he did some experiments with magnets. Needless to say, the older kids had a pretty good hands on experience, for which I am grateful. I told him to keep his stuff in a safe place because we'll need it again in a few years with the younger two! He also took the same experiments and taught my cub scout den. They were fascinated. I love seeing the wonder of young minds.

We are having a great week of school. We didn't take a big break like everyone else, because we take breaks all the time. Every week, everyday, we learn. But we did much more curriculum learning this week. I've tried so many different kinds. My friends roll their eyes at me. I have book cases full of stuff. I always think I can reinvent the wheel, or try to follow child led learning. But it doesn't work so great for me. We need a guideline. This time last year, and again this year, I'm turning back to Sonlight. I never stopped using it, but I'm realizing how it really does work for me. Every time I second guess something, I look at it and realize they had this down long before I ever considered homeschooling. So, I'm going to let go a little bit and just do it from now on. Complete. I had doubts, but now I see I should have had some faith. I guess I'm a hands on girl and need my own experiences. I will add some Michael Clay Thompson into Rebecca's language arts (because it makes me feel so smart!), and continue to use Rod and Staff English as a reference guide, because it is (dry) so complete. But I realize Sonlight is pretty right on with the elementary kids, and the upper curriculum looks great too. I'm excited!

We are also doing our (TJ education) clubs. I've started, (with help from many friends), the Just Us Girls clubs, Freedom Knights, Liberty (American) Girls and Firecracker Kids. We have incorporated extra activity days for bowling, legos, games, field day, etc. The kids love getting together. It's good for them on so many levels. We will also be doing a coop. I kind of wish we weren't, but the K-2 are doing Five in a Row. I really like that curriculum, but couldn't seem to get it going on my own. I'm glad she will at least have this experience. The girls are loving their dance classes, but tae kwon do is wearing me out. I will be glad when our contract is over.

So my M-Thurs are pretty busy Feb-April, but the 3 day weekend is open for whatever we want. It's a good exchange. And on a snow day, we will enjoy the snow! I'm starting to just enjoy what we are doing, and not stress too much about things.

I've always been a worrier so one of my goals this year is to not stress and just enjoy. That goes for all aspects of my life; school, body, money, relationships. So here goes to 2012! Praying for another great year with four fabulous kids.