Homeschool

Homeschooling.

I never saw myself as a "homeschool mom". If you'd asked me 3 years ago, if I'd be homeschooling my children, I'd have laughed at the thought of it.

And here we are.

I attended my first ICHE convention (Illinois Christian Home Educators) in the summer of 2008. I was scared of making the "wrong" choices regarding curriculum. I didn't even understand that there were different schools of thought regarding how to educate my children (Classical, Charlotte Mason, etc). I bought a Pre-K curriculum without really understanding what I was doing or how I'd be implementing it.

This summer I attended ICHE again and it was as if a lightbulb had gone off in my head! I knew that we would not be using the curriculum I bought last year.

My oldest son has been enrolled in a delightful local nursery school. A very wholesome, organic, play-based cooperative nursery school. The building is literally a one-room schoolhouse tucked into the woods where the early farming families sent their children for education.

I love his school. He loves his school. I have no desire to end our relationship with the nursery school.

In a few weeks Gus will begin his 3rd and final year of nursery school. That same week will begin Mattson's 1st year of nursery school.

Even though my oldest children attend nursery school, this will be our first official year jumping into the homeschool pool. Okay, maybe we're dipping our toes in the water (as opposed to jumping into the deep end).

Homeschool started this past Monday at our house.

Nothing fancy. A workbook and some crayons. The content of the book isn't really what I'm focusing on, actually (because he already knows his ABCs and 123s). The initial workbook experience will be useful for teaching Gus to sit still at the table to do his "work". The other thing will be learning to "follow directions" as they change for every page of the lessons so far.

I do find it fascinating to watch as Mattson has begun to learn right alongside his big brother at the table. After a few short lessons, he suddenly whipped out his numbers from 1 to 8 and later counted a random string in the teens. He's definitely picking things up!

Once Gus begins his 3-day nursery school program in a few weeks, we will be homeschooling the other 2 days of the week. At least, that's my plan for implementing homeschooling into our routine.

My plan for the year is still a work in progress, but we're all getting used to this homeschool thing together. Gus will start with this workbook we're already using. Soon I'll begin using Before Five In a Row for both boys, since it is for ages 2-4. (I really want to encourage their love of reading!) Finally, both boys will take an athletic activity at the YMCA to give an outlet for their pent up energy!

Most importantly, I'd like him to begin Christian Character Training. I don't know the best approach to take. This is the biggest quandry I've got.

More than a curriculum for curriculum sake, I have some developmental goals for Gus. Nothing over the top:
Learn to write his name
Learn his phone number & address
He's got basic phonics down, so keep working on this
He's got basic numbers down, so keep working on this
Begin sight words

The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face

This morning was so unbelievably sweet. The kind of "sweet" that acts like a salve for your heart & soul.

The Big Boys are of the habit of waking up before the crack of dawn and then promptly arrive in our room with an incredible burst of energy. We try to convince them to crawl into bed with us and then lay still (no small task for a couple of 2 and 4 year old boys, right?).

This morning started like that. Only I noticed that Gus was rather still and quiet, for once. I opened my eyes and found he'd actually fallen asleep on the crook of my arm.

Lately I find myself sinning in anger against my child more often than I care to truly admit. I pray that God will protect his heart, soul, & mind where I've wounded him with my words and wrath.

So this morning was special. With his little body sleeping serenely, his head on my shoulder, the breath of life rising and falling in his chest and letting out little sleepy sighs.

And I smiled. I soaked him into my core. I burned this into my memory. And I loved him as if it were the first moment I laid eyes on him.

Trusting God for our Future

So, Greg's job is about 2 weeks away from coming to an end. This has been a long-time coming, so it isn't like this is a surprise.

This is when we could really start to freak out about the future.

We're not perfect, but we're trusting God. He's always provided in the past and we have no reason to doubt he'll provide for us in the future.

He's had a few interviews, but this economy is just really tough.

We're praying for God to show us with extreme clarity, which direction Greg is to move. Please pray with us.

Monkeys #3 & #4 are crying...time to finish.

Dateline: Naperville, IL February 26, 2009

Dateline: Naperville, IL February 26, 2009

Two Monkeys, Incorporated (a U. Family Enterprise) is pleased to announce that expansion plans begun approximately 37 weeks ago were successfully brought to completion this morning at 8:59 and 9:00 a.m. local time. Commensurate with this expansion is a change in name from Two Monkeys, Incorporated to Four Monkeys, Incorporated.

The two newest members of Team Monkey (to be known as Monkeys in Training) are Clementine Ruth U. who joined the team at 8:59 this morning, and Rex Challman U., who arrived at 9:00. Rex would like to point out that although he was a minute later, he is 1/4" inch taller at 19 1/2" so it took him just a little longer to arrive. Both Rex and Clementine arrived weighing 6 lbs 13 oz.

Greg U. (CoFounder and CFO) was pleased the expansion project was completed on time and within budget. Maribeth U. (CoFounder and COO) would like to point out that 2 X 6 lbs 13 oz = 14 pounds of baby!

Gus U. (VP: Chaos) commenced wild celebrating upon hearing the news. Mattson U. (VP: Mayhem) pointed excitedly and said BABY!!!

Clementine and Rex, perhaps a bit overwhelmed by it all, simply said....Waaaaaaaaaaa!

Management currently has no plans for further organic growth, but has not ruled out alternative means of future expansion.

U. Family Enterprises....established June 7, 2003.