Schooling in the Sun

Thankful on Thursday. Vacation Edition.

2012-02-23T07:41:00.000-05:00

247. brothers and sisters

248. ski trips

249. watching the snow fall from inside where it's warm

250. snow angels

251. snowball fights with the family

252. ski school

253. getting over the fear of ski lifts

254. snow

255. legoland

256. safe travels

257. a working car to travel with

258. God's creatures

259. no bear sightings

Wordless Wednesday. Legoland!

2012-02-22T09:13:00.000-05:00

Happy Presidents Day--or Why We Did School When all the Neighborhood Kids Were Off

2012-02-20T14:37:00.000-05:00

One of my favorite things about being a homeschooling Momma is the flexibility. I really, really, really love being on our own schedule. Really. love. it. Like, for example, when we got back late on a Sunday evening from a week-long vacation and I called the next day laundry day because I didn't think I had the mental health needed to plan lessons.

Or when we car-school in between doctor's appointments.

Or when it's a birthday for someone in our family (yes, I have been known to even include the dog in this rule) and there is no school allowed.

But sometimes that "our own schedule" deal backfires on me.

Take today, for example.

I was all pumped up. "It's Presidents Day, guys! And just in time for when we started learning about George Washington! We're going to do some fun learning about our first President!" Books, videos, art activities, all nicely in place. Kids even (somewhat) excited.

Then the doorbell rang.

It was a neighbor.

A public school neighbor.

Disaster.

In a moment of sheer indignation, my kiddos discovered that public school kids--ALL the public school kids--don't have to go to school for Presidents Day.

Oops.

Alas, I did corral them long enough to read our cool books, learn some pretty neat stuff, and practice some copywork.

And then they were out the door. To play with the "free" neighbors.

(Wonder how long I can keep the next Planning Day a secret?)

I'm Up for an Award!

2012-02-14T21:15:00.000-05:00

This is so exciting! I have a post that has been nominated on the SPD Blogger Network for the 2012 SPD Blogger Network Awards! As many of you know by now, we have been blessed with a very sweet, very smart, very sensory-"different" little girl. Firefly is now nine years old, and in some ways it feels like we have been battling this disorder forever. Actually, in most ways it feels like that!

You can read about our family's journeys in many different places on this blog. Just search for Firefly Friday--there's a bunch of venting that I've done. Over and over. And over.

And just because I don't think my venue is big enough, I've found another place to vent. *wink* The SPD Blogger Network is full of Mommies and Daddies and families like ours, some who are dealing only with Sensory Processing Disorder, some who have a full spectrum and alphabet soup full of diagnoses, but all who seek comfort in knowing that we are not alone in our struggles, our fears, our hopes, and our weird senses of humor!

One of the posts that I've sent over there has been nominated, and is in the category of "Most Viewed". It is also one of the most viewed over here, too: "Dear Lady at Walmart". I would love for you to head over here and vote for me. But more importantly, head over and take a look-see. There are tons of wonderful ladies and men, representing hundreds of special little guys and girls who live their everyday lives with such courage and strength that it takes my breath away. I'd love for you to meet them! : )

Thanks for visiting! And welcome to our world!

Wordless Wednesday. Why I Haven't Been Posting...

2012-02-14T20:58:00.000-05:00

We have been busy--playing in the snow! This Florida girl and her family took a vacation, soaked up the snow and the cold and the skiing and the tubing, and realized why I enjoy being a Florida girl! Because at the end of the week, it's a gorgeous 70 degrees at home!

Weekly Wrap Up. And Then Some.

2012-02-03T08:46:00.001-05:00

Yep, so I'm not as good as I once was on getting these out in a (ahem) timely manner. Oops. But let me tell you about our week (or two or so) anyway!

in my life this week...just the regular continued craziness. a little bit of working out, errands, cooking, planning, running back and forth to the new house to pick drawer pulls, door knobs, grass location, you name it. we're getting ready to go on vacation for a week, too, just to add fuel to the fire, so i've been packing, washing, packing, washing, etc.

in our homeschool this week...we are trying to fight off the February doldrums. i've now added Bug more formally into the mix and am trying to get him on a "kind of" schedule in anticipation of kindergarten this summer or fall. i bought erica's k4 curriculum from confessions of a homeschooler, and this week we did number reviews. his favorite activity, though, i found on pinterest: a tally sheet. give the kid a clipboard and he is one happy, happy boy. weird, huh?

we also spent one day fort-schooling. bug decided he was going to build one, and he made it perfectly accessible to only those bug or firefly-sized. i had happy kiddos, though. it's amazing how much more fun math can be when you are doing it on a hard floor on your stomach under a blanket. hmmm.

bug even slept that way--the whole night. amazing the flexibility and resilience when you're five : )

places we're going and people we're seeing...it was an off week for both essentials and our co-op this week, so we enjoyed a little bit more freedom to play. we still had bible study, art class and soccer (of course), but we added in a trip to the library, a playdate at the park, and an impromptu trip to a beautifully deserted chuck e. cheese.

sometimes it's really, really great to homeschool!

things we're reading...we are reading Rabbit Hill and Daniel Boone, Frontiersman out loud for school. turtle has begun the Redwall series and firefly just finished the Littles. i am checking out all of the Kindle freebies and trying to find one that catches my eye.

things i'm grateful for...homeschooling. park day with friends. reading a book to bug. the cat purring at my feet. clean kitchen floors.

things i'm praying about...well, now, this is a biggie--for me, at least. turtle is continuing to ask for middle school next year. and i think daddy agrees with her. i'm struggling with this one, folks, really struggling. it seems to be so important to turtle. we've done the pros and cons thing with her, let her talk to those who have been through it (at least more recently than we have, ha!), given her a chance to shadow students there now. she seems to have some very unrealistic expectations that we've tried to clear up and she doesn't seem to have heard. i don't think her psyche is ready. after all, we still have regular tears over math. almost every day. don't think that will go over well with your fellow twelve year-olds. but then again, i am not going to ruin the relationship i have with her over something like this. arrgh! the whole thing is just so heartbreaking to me. not to mention the freedom we have that will go away and put us all back on a schedule. i hate being on other people's schedules. yuck. i'm working really hard right now to put this in God's hands--and leave it there. i could use the prayers to help me do that.

questions i have...has anyone else out there caught the "what are we going to use next year" curriculum bug? is it only me? i mean, i like to plan and be prepared and all, but it is only just february. please, please tell me someone else is spending way too much time online comparing too. please?

linked up this week with the homeschool chick and weird, unsocialized homeschoolers. thanks for checking in!

Wordless Wednesday (Well, almost wordless). Ouch!

2012-01-31T22:15:00.000-05:00

Beautiful weather, gorgeous fields, sweet little girls. Perfect weekend for a soccer tournament.

And, the aftermath. That's the top part of a competitor's cleat imprinted on Firefly's leg. Ouch!

What's in the Box Wednesday--Sixth Grade

2012-01-25T07:20:00.000-05:00

O.K., well, here's the thing. My sixth-grader doesn't actually use workboxes anymore, at least, in the "pure" sense of the word. This year, she's been more of a "planner" kind of gal. And since Christmas break, she's been a "color-coded planner" kind of gal. Be still, my heart!

A moment of silent reverence here, folks.

It's really amazing and kind of sad when we see our own neuroses popping up in our kids, isn't it?

*wink*

But, that is off-topic, I realize.

Here is the point of this post: Turtle's assignments for today. A quick glimpse into the sixth-grade life at our house (and a reminder to myself that I need to look at the page on here that talks about our curriculum--and probably update it.):

Math: Saxon 6/5 Lesson 54. We have just switched back over to Saxon and are going through some lessons that Turtle may not be as strong on.

Government: We are slowly going through an ABCs of America book to give her an overview of American Government. Today we are reviewing "L" for First Lady and "M" for the Mint.

Grammar: Our Essentials class has assigned Our Mother Tongue, Lesson 30 for today.

Reading: Turtle is reading Redwall as part of a study of the fantasy genre for our Drawn into the Heart of Reading book, so she has some assigned reading and a DITHR assignment.

History / Science Co-op: She'll be doing a history worksheet and getting a presentation ready for tomorrow's classes. If you notice the color coding (ha!), she did her vocabulary for this class yesterday.

Extended History: Reading one of our history books to go with our curriculum, and finding me for an oral narration.

IEW Writing: She is beginning a research paper on Ethan Allen--the patriot, not the furniture guy. Today she has to pick the topics of her report.

Bible Study: Community Bible Study lessons need to be finished today. We have that tomorrow, too.

Piano: Ten minutes of practice.

We have one outside class today: Art at 2:30. We will also be doing some group work--history, vocabulary, and read-alouds (theoretically, anyway.)

That's a peek into Turtle's day. What's in your workboxes?

Weekly Wrap-Up. One Busy, Busy Week.

2012-01-20T16:00:00.000-05:00

in my life this week...wow. can i say it again? wow. what a crazy, crazy week.

everything we are involved in outside of our home has begun again full force. we have been running, running, running.

i have been missing quiet time. i have discovered that when we miss quiet time, it does not lead to good things. not at all.

did i mention we are building a house? *wink*

i think this week might have officially put me over the top with this whole house-building thing.

see, we're close. really, really close to being done.

  landscaping is being done, last coats of paint are being added, stairs are stained.

  but the cabinets.

  ooh, the cabinets, and everything dependent on the cabinets, which includes the floors and appliances--snail's pace. and arguments. and misunderstandings. and stress. lots and lots of stress.

and we are SO close. which leads to even more stress as my existing house starts to look more and more like a hoarders episode.

and i'm pretty sure i've mentioned that i have a kiddo here who does.not.do.well.with.transitions.

*sigh*

what does not kill us makes us stronger, right?

we'll see... (but it looks great on the outside, huh?)

in our homeschool this week...we are back with this full-force as well. spent this week learning about benjamin franklin as a boy and as a young man. earlier this week the kids built a wharf out of small rocks in our backyard to commemorate franklin doing the same as a child, and yesterday they all came up with their own "inventions" to solve the world's problems.

wouldn't you know it? firefly's was a car that would instantly transport you anywhere you wanted to go in the "whole, wide world". a perfect fit for a kiddo who has screamed about being strapped into a car seat for her entire life. ha!

we did go ahead and make the switch back to saxon for turtle's math. yep, there were tears. mine and hers. but we made it through and have come out the other side mostly unscathed.

bug started a more formal pre-k curriculum with me this week as well. i downloaded the k4 curriculum from www.confessionsofahomeschooler.com and we did a couple of days of letter review to get him warmed up to the idea. so far, so good...

places we are going and people we are seeing...where are we not going? occupational therapy, doctor's visits, essentials, art class, impromptu chick-fil-a lunch playdates with friends, library, park days, bible study, co-op, back and forth to the new house.

oh yeah, and today we met the mold removal guy and the invisible fence guy when they came to visit our old house to fix things.

i need to catch my breath.

things i am working on...patience. i think this might be the lesson being taught to me through the house / cabinet debaucle.

patience. i am working on it.

and deep breathing.

and how to open wine bottles properly.

*joking*

things i am grateful for...the new house and our ability to build it.

some extra weeks of schooling when i thought we wouldn't be because we would be moving.

my amazing husband who has held my hand throughout this process and not let me lose my mind.

and wonderful birthday gifts, homemade or home-found by my three beautiful kiddos

chocolate chip pancakes for breakfast

i hope you all had a wonderful week! i am linked up this week at the homeschool mother's journal and weird, unsocialized homeschoolers.

More Heart of Dakota Praises!

2012-01-16T14:39:00.001-05:00

Welcome to Week Three of the Virtual Curriculum Fair! This week's theme is:

Exploring Our World: Social Studies and more Science.
This theme can include history, geography, world cultures, worldview,
biology, botany, geology, etc., etc., etc.

Sooo, I'm going to (again) fawn over our Heart of Dakota curriculum, and go a little more in depth in what the curriculum looks like on a daily basis.

We are using Bigger Hearts for His Glory this year, aimed at ages 7-9, with an Extension Pack up to age 11. (Truthfully, my 5 year-old will sit in with us for a lot of it as well). It is a Charlotte Mason-based approach, with lots of good literature, spelling through dictation, and narration opportunities, and it covers American History this year.

Bigger Hearts is split into 34 units, each aimed at a five-day week. **I should tell you here, in the spirit of honesty, that we usually school three to four days a week out of this book. So here is another confession--we are in week 18 or 19 of school and in Week 10 of Heart of Dakota. Oops.**

So, anyway, as I was saying, each unit is split into five days, and it is very much history-based. Each day we will read a passage about the history theme. Today we read about Benjamin Franklin growing up and learning about the printing profession. Each reading has a key idea listed, and each day the kiddos are encouraged to orally narrate after the reading.

After the history, there is another kind of activity, which varies each day: notebooking, timeline-creating, vocabulary, art-related projects, geography, etc. Today there was a geography activity explaining how flat maps are different from globes, and having the kids create their own flat map of some objects. Each of these activities also has a key idea that ties it back into the history reading. My favorite part is that there are activities--and I didn't have to think of them! I am not the most creative person on the planet, mind you.

The Extension Pack includes books at a higher reading level for the older student to read independently that cover the same material as the daily history reading. So far, Turtle has really enjoyed the book choices, and I have her orally or written narrate (is that correct English? Back to Essentials I go, ha!) each day from these choices.

Other areas covered daily include: Poetry, Bible Study, Music, and Storytime. Language Arts, Reading, and Math choices are offered, but you are welcome to use other curriculum as well. We actually do use the suggestions for Math, which I wrote about here. We love the hands-on examples and games that are in Heart of Dakota to use with Singapore Math.

Bigger Hearts also includes Science, and for the beginning of the year we followed it closely. Science, like History, is taught through living books, with a notebook kept and experiments completed. I really, really liked it. Really liked it. Firefly, not so much.

I don't know what it was about the Science. I enjoyed the books, thought the experiments were wonderful (and easy, I might add. Oh, and non-messy. Just the things I love. ; ) But it got to the point that when I pulled out Science, the moaning and groaning and writhing on the floor would begin. I have gotten pretty good at figuring out these cues, and so we just jumped on over to Apologia for Science at that point. Which also involves some moaning. But no writhing or tears. So win-win for us!

That's about all I can think of to say at this point, except that I really love this curriculum. But posts are always more fun with pictures, so I'll add some of those so you can see what fun things we've been doing so far...

beginning our timeline...

attempting an Indian wigwam out of clay (I can't remember what the crackers were for--maybe snack!)

painting with berry juices...

and sand paintings.

I encourage you to hop on over to some of the other posts in this link-up to see what others have to say about what they are doing this year. This Virtual Curriculum Fair has been a ton of fun--like a peek into other's homeschools. I am a true voyeur at heart! *wink*

Science
and Worldview by Beth @ Ozark Ramblings

Nature
Study as Science by Christine @ Crunchy Country Catholic

Virtual
Curriculum Fair Week 3- Social Studies and more Science by Leah
Courtney @ The Courtney Six Homeschool Family

Curriculum
Fair–Exploring Our World by Angie @ Petra School

Paths
of Exploration by Jen @ Forever, For Always

Learning
Geography at Our House by Jessica @ Modest Mama

Mapping
Out Our Social Studies by Susan @ Homeschooling Hearts & Minds

The
Fascinating World Around Us by Cindy Horton @ Fenced in Family

More
Heart of Dakota Praises by Nicole @ Schooling in the Sun

Our
History by Melissa @ Grace Christian Homeschool

Playful
US Geography for First Grade by Pam @ Everyday Snapshots

Heart
of Dakota-The Fine Details-Part 3 History by Lynn @ Ladybug
Chronicles

Exploring
Our World Through History & Science by Brenda Emmett @ Garden
of Learning

Two
History Must-haves by Letha @ justpitchingmytent

Learning
About The World Around Us by Laura O from AK

Social
Studies and Science - What do we do? by Joelle @ Homechooling for
His Glory

Wordless Wednesday. Building.

2012-01-11T06:53:00.001-05:00

Ahhh, Math.

2012-01-09T14:47:00.006-05:00

Just the very mention of the word triggers the tears in our house. I don't know what it is about math. Well, actually, yes I do. I mean, let's be honest here. I'm not exactly a big, whopping math fan myself. My math classes ranked right up there with dentist visits when I was in high school.

But it must be done. That, I think, is the part that brings the tears. Why can't mean Mommy just skip the whole idea of adding, subtracting, long division, etc? Because I'm mean, that's why!

So I think today I'm going to focus on our third-grade math plan, since our sixth-grade math plan is continuously evolving in an effort to reduce the crying.

I think I've mentioned earlier how much we are loving Heart of Dakota. We are using Bigger Hearts for His Glory, and, as part of the program, they recommend Singapore Math. In fact, each day of the curriculum offers a written plan for Singapore 2A, including teaching tips.

For example, this morning, Firefly and I were rounding up all of the "cows" (or Cheerios) into pens, in order to find out how many of the twenty cows would fit equally into five pens. Or, in other words, what is 20 divided by 5? We played with the cows with different equations for about ten minutes, and then she got to eat them (hmmm...) while she completed her workbook pages. Four today. And she did them. And didn't cry! Hooray!

A normal math lesson is only about five to ten minutes long, and Heart of Dakota offers lots of teaching tips, including games and hands-on activities. We only purchased the workbook for Singapore and skipped the Teacher's Manual, since I had so many suggestions in our core curriculum. (And since I know how to multiply already, ha!)

I do intersperse some extra practice in math for Firefly throughout the day, but that is because math is where she is most weak. We use flashcards, iPad apps, You Tube videos, and card games during the week to help reinforce concepts.

All in all, though, Firefly seems to do well with Singapore Math.

She doesn't cry (often) anymore when the math book is pulled out.

And that makes us all so very happy! ; )

This post is part of the Virtual Curriculum Fair. Each week in January, several bloggers are writing about what is (or is not) working for them in their homeschools. This week is all about Math. Hop on over to the following ladies and see what they have to say:
Math
Lapbooks---Virtual Curriculum Fair Week 2 Angie Wright @ Petra
School

Virtual
Curriculum Fair Week Two: Discover Patterns, Mathematics, Logic and
Some Science by Leah @ The Courtney Six Homeschool

Our
Choices For Math by Melissa @ Grace Christian Homeschool

A
Magnificent Math Manipulative by Letha Paulk @ justpitchingmytent

Our
Math Choices - Virtual Curriculum Fair by Tristan @ Our Busy
Homeschool

Math
Literature?!?! by Christine @ Crunchy Country Catholic

Learning
Math at My House by Jessica @ Modest Mama

Math
Using Hamburger Paper by Debbie @ Debbie's Digest

Math
Facts or Fun? Why Not Both! by Beth @ Ozark Ramblings

Heart
of Dakota- The Fine Details- Part 2 Science by Lynn @ Ladybug
Chronicles

Learning
Math Block by Block by Laura O in AK @ Day by Day in Our World

Plugging
Along with Math by Cindy Horton @ Fenced in Family

What's
Working and What's Not: Math Edition by Leann @ Montessori
Tidbits

Math
Anyone? by Cindy @ For One Another

Ahh,
Math. by Nicole @ Schooling in the Sun

Flying
Without a Parachute: Math with no Curriculum by Pam @ Everyday
Snapshots

Math
in Our Homeschool by Christine T @ Our Homeschool Reviews

Math,
Math, and More Math by Dawn Chandler @ tractors & tire swings

Thinking
Mathematically- How I Choose Math Curriculum by Kristen @ Sunrise
to Sunset

Discovering
Patterns: Math, Logic, and Some Science by Christa Darr @
Fairfield Corner Academy

The
Science of Math by Brenda Emmett @ Garden of Learning

"Mom,
did we do math today?" by Chrissy at Learning is an Adventure

Math,
Math, and More Math by Joelle @ Homeschooling for His Glory

Firefly Friday. December. Sigh

2012-01-06T09:59:00.000-05:00

I love December. I really, really do. It's finally cool weather here (sometimes). We are getting a break from soccer (sometimes). We do less schoolwork (always). Best of all, I get to prepare for my most favoritest holiday ever!

I LOVE love, love, love Christmas. It's always been my favorite, from way-back-when when I couldn't sleep all Christmas Eve, both from the excitement and anticipation of what the next morning would bring, and from the upset stomach that my sister always seemed to have all night long on that particular night. Every year. (But that's another story ; ).

Now that I'm all grown up (sometimes, ha!), I love Christmas even more. I love the decorating, the cookie-making, the wrapped gifts, the nativity setting-up, the preparations. Harry Connick Jr.'s Christmas singing voice just is really icing on the cake!

So (of course) it stands to reason that Firefly is an absolute wreck for the month of December--regularly, every December. It's finally cool weather here, and she does.not.like.to.be.cold. Ever.

We get a break from soccer. She NEEDS soccer.

We do less schoolwork. Yeah, I don't think she really has much of a problem with that, truthfully. *wink*

I am super-excited about my favoritest holiday ever. She gets super-stressed out.

The anticipation is not a friend to my Firefly. And to make it more of a "the joke's on me" kind of thing, Firefly's birthday is six days before Christmas. Nice. Kind of like adding fuel to the already-burning-six-feet-high-fire.

But this December I was going to be smart. I remembered the month that was, last December. I had prepared, emotionally and physically, as best as I could.

I completely changed up lesson plans. We took a break from regular schoolwork (except for Math--yes, I am an evil Mommy), and began a Christmas Unit Study, focusing on what Christmas is really all about.

I found www.crossfitkids.com and we spent time each day with some quality, fun exercise.

We tried to keep bedtimes stable.

We didn't travel.

We brought the Snuggie into Firefly's room from the family room and she slept in it.

I tried to not make her wear socks.

We didn't do a countdown to her birthday.

Reward: instead of the month-that-had-been the December before, where heart-wrenching and miserable were our keywords the entire month, we made it a full two weeks into December before we--correction--I--dreaded waking-up time.

This is progress.

Right?

Baby steps, people, baby steps.

It IS progress. I need to remind myself of that time and time and time again. I write these posts and I look back and I remember. Our lives when Firefly was two and three and four are so different from what they are today. SO different.

I think that's one of the main reasons I write here. When we are in the midst of it, when those last two weeks of December are full of "eggshell" days, tantrums, yelling (yep, mostly mine), and tears, and the days are SO long and I am SO exhausted at the end of them, it seems impossible. It seems unfair. Unfair that my favorite time of year is marred by my child. Unfair that I can't pass on my love of this holiday to my child. Then I am angry and guilty and ashamed, which of course adds to the miserableness (guess I really like to make up words, huh?) of the whole thing.

And then I look back. Well, first of all, I take a bath, or a locked door, or a trip to Target, or a glass of wine, and I look back. I try to remember. Constant miserableness was age three. Constant guilt and anger and shame was age four. Fights, tantruming, questioning, doubting, anxiety--that was age five.

Now she is nine and we had two good weeks in her toughest time of the year.

Progress.

Dear God, help me to remember. Help me to see her progress. Most of all, help me to see her. And enjoy her. Today. Help me to find ways to comfort her in the midst of the miserable. Please comfort us both.

Next December, I'm aiming for three weeks. ; )

Thankful on Thursday.

2012-01-05T07:09:00.000-05:00

218. Christmas music

219. American Girls

220. New Year's

221. special friends

222. 3 meals a day

223. a whole new year

224. bananas

225. Tic Tacs

226. dirt bike

227. electric scooter

228. pogo stick

229. a full refridgerator

230. love

231. work by Dad

232. good dinners

the above were written in our thankful book by my three kiddos. i am thankful for our thankful book. : )

Wordless Wednesday--Happy Birthday Firefly!!

2012-01-04T06:00:00.003-05:00

Our little Firefly turned nine years old last month, right in the midst of the holiday season. Happy Birthday, Sweet One!

We took a trip out to see some gorgeous Christmas lights, with Poppy (and American Girl Emily)! Does it get any better than that?

Why We Love Classical Conversations Essentials (and How I Know That's Not a Complete Sentence)

2012-01-02T12:25:00.012-05:00

It was February. You know how February gets: boring, strangely really (REALLY) long, full of days using curriculum that looked oh-so-exciting at the beginning of the school year, but now--not-so-much. So that February my search began for a much-more-exciting curriculum to use for the next school year. And I found this really neat program called Heart of Dakota. And the more I looked, the more excited I got. (Yeah, because this never happened before with curriculum *wink*).

But here was my problem.

I was going to have a third-grader who was struggling and had some significant special needs. And a gifted sixth-grader. And I wanted to do as much with them together as I could.

Right.

After much (much, much) soul-searching and prayer and research and talking, I decided to go with the Heart of Dakota program. I picked Bigger Hearts for His Glory--perfect for my Firefly (3rd grader), and with an extension pack I could use with Turtle (6th grade). Awesome! Great fit! Except sorely lacking in the Language Arts department for my bigger lady. Hmmm, now what?

Enter Classical Conversations. We had taken part in their Foundations program before, but their Essentials program is what I was really looking for to fill the gap I had created. Now, every Tuesday afternoon, Turtle and I go to "class". We spend the first forty-five minutes in Grammar. This is NOT your average a-noun-is-a-person-place-or-thing grammar class. This is intense, sentence diagramming, sentence classifying, chart memorizing, learn more than I EVER knew about grammar class.

Anyone know what S-Vt-DO-OCN means? Well, I do now. And so does Turtle! Despite the *sometimes wonderings* that I have about the depth of information that she is learning, she is truly learning it--and using it across her other subjects. Well, occasionally. But it does happen.

The next thirty minutes of class are spent in math drills and games. And can you believe that a class full of later elementary-aged children spend the first almost-hour clamoring for math time? Yeah, me neither. They love math time! Mental math, Twister math, Sum 20, Around the World--you name it and they play it. But shh--don't tell them they are math drilling!

The last forty-five minutes are spent using the tools from the Institute for Excellence in Writing. We are doing American History this year, so we are using the manual that goes along with that. Turtle has always been a reader and writer, so we have never had to struggle too much with getting her to do it. For her, some parts of this program may actually be a little too restrictive. I think she enjoys being given a topic to write about and then being let loose to do it. The IEW program encourages kids to essentially re-write pieces of work that are already written, introducing the use of alliteration, quality adjectives, dialogue, and other "dress-ups".

The rest of our week after the Essentials class is spent with follow-up work daily. By the time we get to class next, Turtle has classified, taken apart, and diagrammed several sentences, and written a rough draft and / or final draft of a paper, to be presented the following week. All very manageable to do in a week. And a nice, clean "fit" for our family. (And, yes, I know neither of those are complete sentences!)

**In case you couldn't tell from the picture above, I am taking part in a Virtual Curriculum Fair this month. Each week, several of us bloggers are going to write about what we are using, what we aren't, what's working for our families, what isn't. Just click at that little icon up there and you'll find all kinds of neat posts. Thanks for visiting!

Here is a list of the other bloggers this week:

Reading on Time by Cindy Horton @ Fenced in Family

Playing with Words: the Language Arts by Christa
Darr @ Fairfield Corner Academy

Reading
and Beyond: Language Arts in Our Homeschool by Laura O in AK @
Day by Day in Our World

Language
Arts that Work for Us by Melissa @ Grace Christian School

Learning
Language at Our House by Jessica @ Modest Mama

Virtual
Curriculum Fair: Language Arts by Christine T. @ Our Homeschool
Reviews

The
Learning of Language by Dawn @ tractors & tire swings

Reading
and Spelling: Modifying the Magic by Pam @ Pam and Everyday
Snapshots

An
In Depth Look at All About Spelling by Missouri Mama @ Ozark
Ramblings

Virtual
Curriculum Fair: Let's Talk About Words by Debra @ Footprints in
the Butter

Why
We Love Classical Conversations Essentials (and how I know that is not
a complete sentence!) by Nicole @ Schooling in the Sun

Virtual
Curriculum Fair---Playing with Words: the Language Arts by Angie
@ Petra School

Whole
Language vs. Phonics by Christine @ Crunchy Country Catholic

It's
All About the Art of Language by Brenda Emmett @ Garden of
Learning

Watching
Movies for Language Arts Class by Debbie @ Debbie's Digest

Only
5 Spelling Tests a Year! (Can we do that?) by LP @
justpitchingmytent

Playing
with Words, the Language Arts by Cindy @ For One Another

Language
Art at Our House by Joelle @ Homeschooling for His Glory

Virtual
Curriculum Fair Week One Playing with Words: the Language Arts by
Leah Courtney @ The Courtney Six Homeschool Blog

Heart
of Dakota- The Fine Details part 1- Language Arts by Lynn @
Ladybug Chronicles

Playing
with Words by Chrissy @ Learning is an Adventure

Happy Blog Hopping!

I'm Back...!

2012-01-02T09:41:00.000-05:00

Wow! What a busy, wonderful month December was! I can't wait to post all about the holiday activities we shared with our friends and family members. We enjoyed "Christmas school", lots of cooking and crafting, and some well-deserved (at least for Mama!) time off.

But now it's back to business. It's nine-thirty in the am, one kiddo is busy thank you noting, littles are outside for PE, and I have re-discovered my blog!

I hope you all had a beautiful holiday season. Can't wait to catch up with everyone--but for now, I'm off to write a little about our Language Arts program for a virtual curriculum fair that I'm taking part in. That post will be live later this afternoon...
See you soon!

My blog :)

2011-12-03T11:55:00.001-05:00

Yay! My blog is up! The link is-- http://www.consider-theplan.blogspot.com/ . Please check it out. The blog is called The Plan and it has a bunch of great Bible verses on it. Please follow!!

Love, Turtle

The Homeschool Mother's Journal. Starting a New Season.

2011-12-02T16:10:00.000-05:00

in my life this week...we are trying to get back in the swing of things, which, for us, means "back to the craziness"! Family has left, leftovers are (finally) all eaten, Black Friday shopping has left us broke! Soccer seasons have begun again for the girls, so our peaceful, free evenings have disappeared, and our busy, freezing our booties off at the soccer field evenings are upon us! Co-ops and Bible Studies have all begun again as well.

in our homeschool this week...can I get a "yay"!? We have started "Christmas School"! Somehow, just giving it that name makes math easier to take. Hmmm... What it means, though, is that we hit only the basics and then spend lots of time on our Christmas Unit Study and other Christmas Activities. We're listening to carols, reading stories, wrapping gifts, decorating, making presents, crafting, and on and on and on! After all, it is the most wonderful time of the year! (I am physically incapable of saying those words--I always have to sing them! Anyone with me?)

places we are going and people we are seeing...O.K., is it bad that my kids have spent almost as much time at home this week as they have at the cabinet store and the new house? We are over at our new homesite daily, watching the progress. THIS week, the kids have met Diego and Pablo, who are doing just a wonderful job tiling our bathrooms! They have again bugged Mr. Rob at the cabinet store as we picked out bathroom vanities, and they are learning the subtle differences between Youthful Coral and Coral Reef in paint! And on top of that, we are all learning together how to put together IKEA furniture. Quite a unit on "Life Skills", huh?

When we are not constructing, (or "supervising"), we have been busy socializing. This morning was American Girl Book Club, which was our Felicity Tea Party Christmas Event. Can you say "precious"?

what's working / not working for us...I'm having trouble with finding a good math match for Turtle. She (and, truthfully, I) hated Saxon so we switched over to Life of Fred. She loves it, but I am not sold on the "solidness" of the math, so I added Singapore in as well. We're still struggling, and I find myself longing for the spiral structure of Saxon (look--alliteration! Ha!) I mentioned re-starting Saxon to her and--well.can I say that that idea was not met with joy? What are you all using and why do you like it?

things i'm grateful for...good friends. quiet time (yes, I mention that often!). Community Bible Study. the holiday season. a clean kitchen floor.

what we're praying for...friends' mothers with health concerns. our troops who have to be away from their families during this holiday season. their families who have to be without them. peace in our home.

a photo to share...

watercolor painting in the style of Georgia O'Keefe (really?) from Thursday's co-op.

Hope you all are having a wonderful week. I am linked up with The Homeschool Mother's Journal, and with Kris from Weird, Unsocialized Homeschoolers.

Wordless Wednesday. My Life These Days ...

2011-11-30T16:36:00.004-05:00

Ahhh...so many choices!

Turtle Tuesday-- My Blog

2011-11-29T10:10:00.004-05:00

Hello everyone! I have exciting news, I am going to have my own blog! Yay!

There are lots of things to be thankful for and this is only one of the many.

My blog is going to be about whatever I want it to be about! I am thinking about it being about things to be thankful for and good Bible verses.

I am open for ideas!

I will still be posting on this blog also.

when my blog is made i will let you all know.

Scavenger Hunting

2011-11-28T13:48:00.009-05:00

Thank goodness for iPhoto. I knew I wanted to blog today and I actually had a free moment (shh, don't tell anyone too loudly or my kiddos will come running in to need me ; ). But I couldn't think of anything. Nothing. White screen staring at me. For a long time.

Then I decided to play with my computer and explore it a bit. We just got a new one, and although I truly believe it is way too smart for me, I still try to act like I know what I'm doing with it from time to time. So here I was, navigating through fun pictures that I've taken, driving myself crazy because I haven't scrapbooked them and because I haven't online scrapbooked them and because oh-that's-right-I-haven't-made-an-appointment-to-get-our-family-pictures-done and because I haven't made Christmas cards yet, but I digress...

Then, once I got over my mini-panic attack, I found these cute shots and remembered that I forgot (funny how that works!) to show off the one, slightly creative, fun thing we did with our reading books.

We were starting new reading books, and moving into the adventure genre. One of the ideas found in our Drawn Into the Heart of Reading curriculum was to stage a scavenger hunt to "kick-off" the new genre. So, with the help of an online clue tool, I set up a scavenger hunt through the house. The treasure: our new reading books!

Here they are putting the puzzle together from the first clue, to find the second clue...

...which led them to search under a pillow...

...and then to try to read the clue with the help of a light...

...which sent them looking inside of shoes...

...cracking codes...

...reading backwards...(please ignore the mess)

...and finally making the discovery!

They had a great time, worked together, and only argued viciously once or twice *wink*. Mental note to Mommy to try this kind of stuff more often!

Wordless Wednesday. And So It Begins . . .

2011-11-23T14:30:00.004-05:00

What are your favorite dishes for Thanksgiving?

Thanksgiving Blessing Counting

2011-11-15T10:43:00.011-05:00

I'm getting this urge. I'm pretty sure I get it every year, around this time. The urge to STOP. The urge to ENJOY. The urge to SIMPLIFY.

Yep. I'm pretty sure I get it every year.

I'm also pretty sure I never follow it.

But that ends this year. I promise. I really, truly want to enjoy this holiday season (and by holiday season, I also mean Thanksgiving. The holiday that gets skipped and passed by. The one that means more to me every year as I get older.)

We're making a good start, my family and I. We have taken this week off from all things school-related. (And my kids are fighting like animals and I'm remembering why we keep pretty structured school days, but that is NOT the point of this post ; ).

We (my husband and I) have already shared our wonderful, liberating idea that our children should include only five things on their Christmas ("gimme") lists. After all, Jesus only got three gifts. So far, only one child has dared to challenge the Jesus idea.

I have decided not to itemize and dole out all of the "really good" ideas to relatives to ensure that my children received all of the "gimmes" that they requested. This year, I have let the relatives know what kinds of things interest the kids and let them take it from there.

I am buying for others what I think they would like. And I'm enjoying picking out for each niece, nephew, cousin individually, instead of playing "how many gift cards can I fit into my hands?"

I will not be putting up every. single. one. of my Christmas decorations this year. (Although, to be fair, we will be moving shortly after Christmas, so that is really more a sanity-saving, practical decision than anything else. But hey, it fits!)

We will officially be working on Christmas School, beginning next Monday. I don't really know what that means or what it will look like, but it sounds exciting. I'll have to let you know what it actually turns out to be!

And we are trying to add a little more "what-it-means-to-celebrate-holidays" spirit into all that we do. We have started a Thankful book. It's a beautiful journal that sits out on the kitchen table or counter, and it is open to everyone--both those of us who actually live here and those that just pass through. It is a numbered list of our blessings. (Thank you, Ann Voskamp!) I've been doing this most of the fall on my own, and on a whim decided to try it with the kiddos and the hubby. It has taken off. We love it. It makes me happy.

It makes me so happy that I'm going to ignore the spelling errors. *wink*

It's a wonderful, in-your-face blessing count. It puts us all in a mood of gratitude. We smile when we write in it and we smile when we read it.

It reminds us of what is truly important. We STOP, we write, we ENJOY, and we SIMPLIFY.

Pretty simple idea, pretty big impact.

I hope you all are having a wonderful, blessing-filled week as we get ready to kick off the "most wonderful time of the year."

The Homeschool Mother's Journal. More Fall Fun!

2011-11-11T15:48:00.008-05:00

in my life this week...Let me just go on record now to say that I hate the time change. More on that in a later post, but for now, I will just simply state that time changes and children with Sensory Processing Disorder do. not. mix. At all. Arrgh!

in our homeschool this week...Did I mention how much I hate the time change? Yep, well it really messes with any success we might possibly be able to have with schooling. Really, really hard to focus on math when your sister is on the floor in a tantrum because her doll's dress is the wrong color (or some other who-knows-what-set-her-off item). We're forging through it as best as we can, though, and will probably get back to our happy status quo right around the time that it's time to Spring Forward! ; )

We did manage to get a few hands-on activities done, though:

painting with berries like the Native Americans (which didn't actually work very well, but probably because Mama didn't plan ahead and we had to use juice instead of berries. Oops.)

making Indian wigwams (out of homemade clay, I might add! Mighty ambitious of me, if I do say so myself!)

my personal favorite (mostly because it worked, haha!): cloud in a bottle.

things i am working on...Peace in our home. I think I posted earlier about the wonderful post I found about choosing peace. I am making a concentrated effort to choose peace for our days. (If only ALL members of our family would immediately and obediently fall in line for that peace to take place!) *sigh* and *wink*

places we are going and people we are seeing...So I did cheat a little here and post some of the field trips we have gone on BTC (before Time Change). We really haven't done much since as I am not brave enough.

the air show

Rural Folklife Days, where we learned how the early colonists made rope,

ground corn,

prepared their sugar cane (minus the Mardi Gras beads, of course!),

and hand-stamped their leather. Lots of fun was had by all!

i am praying for...a friend's mother, who has been battling cancer, and has just discovered that it is now in her lungs and growing. I am praying for peace for her as well as comfort for her sweet mother.

i am grateful for... The quiet moments of peace that I have been able to find.

I am linked up with The Homeschool Mother's Journal and Kris, at Weird, Unsocialized Homeschoolers. Hope you all are having a wonderful week!

Thankful on Thursday. Legos.

2011-11-10T14:46:00.004-05:00

190. finding the time to be peaceful

191. ignoring the laundry for once to sit quietly with my son

192. getting to be sitting quietly, peacefully, with my son while he put together a Lego helicopter all. by. himself. i didn't know he could do that. i am in love with peace in my home.

Turtle Tuesday-- Golden Opportunity

2011-11-08T10:26:00.013-05:00

THE GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY

My dad got to ride in with Navy's Blue Angels!

Every year Navy picks three important "pillars of the community" to ride in a Blue Angel.

My dad rode in the only two seater #7.

When he took off the Blue Angel went straight up!!

They did all sorts of tricks and at one point they went faster than the speed of sound!

That was your Turtle Tuesday post!!

miscellany monday

2011-11-07T13:04:00.004-05:00

one. i have just put together a treasure hunt for my kids to do this afternoon. i am so proud of myself, because this tends to be one of those things i think is such a cute idea, but don't ever have the energy to actually DO. i'll let you know how it turns out.

two. i have successfully stayed away from the Halloween candy in my house, except for my official "cheat days" of Friday and Saturday. that even includes the reese's cups that are continually falling out of the freezer whenever we open the doors. this is no mean feat.

three. it is a really dreary, yucky day here. and my dog continues to want to go outside in it. and he stinks a little when he comes back in. for once i am agreeing with my sensory-overload daughter.

four. two of my three kiddos are about to have a break from regular soccer practices and games. i am going to thoroughly enjoy that week and a half! ; )

five. i would love prayers for my momma van. it is currently being "diagnosed", in order to find the cause of the check engine light and the funny noise (official name). our new house is almost built, here comes the Christmas season, and it would be really nice to NOT have a huge car bill.

hope your monday is starting off well!

Wordless Wednesday. The Promise.

2011-11-02T13:24:00.003-04:00

Happy Halloween! Homeschool Style.

2011-10-31T12:59:00.005-04:00

Since the public schools in this area seem to enjoy having the kids go to school, have Halloween parties, go trick-or-treating, eat pizza, and go home, all in the space of two hours, I thought it would be OK to have a short, Halloween-filled school day, minus the sugar (kind of). Here's what's cooking at our homeschool today . .

homemade caramel apples . . .

handprint glue ghosts . . .

We are also watching Halloween-themed movies, reading Halloween stories, and playing with compound words, Halloween-inspired! Hope you all are enjoying your time as you count down to Trick or Treat!

Weekly Wrap Up. Friday Already.

2011-10-28T15:08:00.007-04:00

in my life this week (today) . . . i am working on peace. Read a wonderful post this morning as I sat down to check emails and go through my to-do list. Ironic, as you'll see when you read it! You can find it here. It was definitely an "aha" moment for me, and it has changed the pattern of our day today.

in our homeschool this week . . .more field trips! We took Tuesday off in honor of Bug's birthday and plowed through Monday and Wednesday. But yesterday we field tripped to Bodyology. What a great show! I admit, I was a little nervous at first. I remembered the idea of the show from MY elementary school years, but it has definitely been a long time. And some of the other "wonderful" things that I've remembered from those times have more or less lost their luster when I've shared them with my kiddos. But, riding on the coattails of the Brady Bunch success we've had lately (yes, I found the first season on DVD and my kids are hooked!), we tried out Slim Goodbody. Can I say it again? What a great show! The kids loved it, I loved it, it was wonderful. I highly recommend it if it comes close to where you live. It was a great way to reinforce all of our human body science lessons so far!

places we've gone and people we've seen . . .besides Slim, it's been a pretty normal week. We spent this afternoon at a friend's house celebrating another birthday, this one a first birthday! (which is where I left my camera, chock full of adorable "one year-old eating a cupcake" pictures--so you'll have to wait for my field trip pictures until after the weekend ; ).

my favorite thing about the week . . .the peace that held in our home this morning. I am continually amazed at how my attitude sets the tone for the whole day, and at how quickly I forget that it does.

questions / thoughts i have . . .Turtle has begun to ask for public school next year for middle school. Eek! Anyone have any guidance on this?

Linking up a few places this week . . .Come see other's weekly wrap ups here! Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

Wordless Wednesday. Happy Birthday Bug!

2011-10-26T13:26:00.003-04:00

FIVE Years Old Already!!! Amazing. Happy Birthday to our sweet Bug!

Thank You, Thank You, Thank You!

2011-10-24T11:45:00.010-04:00

I am soooo excited! I have been nominated for two different bloggy awards! It's so cool to know that there are some of you out there who truly are interested in my ramblings! Who knew?

So thank you so much, Danielle, Jen, and Kim! (And thank you for forcing me to get my bloggy behind up and moving this morning, too!)

So, here are the rules for these awards:

1. Link back to the bloggy friends who gave them to you.

2. List seven things about yourself.

3. Nominate other bloggy friends!

Here we go--seven things about yours truly . . .

1. I was born in New York and have lived in four states.

2. I always had pictured myself as a Mommy of little boys. God was laughing at me when my first two kiddos were girls. (I did get a boy at the end, though!)

3. I love chocolate. Really. Love. Chocolate. One year I gave up chocolate for Lent and lost four pounds. Embarassing, I know.

4. My husband is my best friend.

5. I am a horrible artist. My children laugh at my stick figures.

6. As much as I complain about it, we will always have a labrador in our home.

7. I once lost a spelling bee on the word "original". I had a terrific southern accent, and I spelled it just like I said it.

OK, that's me in a nutshell. Thrilling stuff, huh? But here are some wonderful online ladies who have much more exciting news to share:

Hide and Seek Him

Shining Our Lights

Simply Southern Homeschool

The Fragile X Files

A Graceful Life

Accidentally Homeschooling

Weekly (OK, Monthly) Wrap-Up. A Busy Fall So Far . . .

2011-10-21T13:04:00.007-04:00

We have had an amazingly busy fall so far. Lots of fun field trips, cool studies, and (finally) cooler weather!!! I think the best way to show you what we've been up to is in pictures. So, I present to you--(man, I don't have any snappy titles coming to me whatsoever. Hmmm.)--What We've Been Up To, Volume One:

Indian Sand Painting (with Ninja Turtles--an interesting spin on it ; )

Autumn Treasures with an Amanda Bennett Unit Study (the first one we've done).

Some adaptations to the Autumn Unit Study with the Fall Unit from Confessions of a Homeschooler.

Soccer Tournaments

An interesting "experiment" from the anatomy lessons we've been going over. Firefly decided to create all known internal organs and attach them to a stuffed animal. The original plan, apparently, involved knives and "surgery". Luckily, I tuned in in time to realize I should offer her and her brother some tape, instead. It's kind of hard to see in the pictures, but she has *neatly* labeled the spine, lungs, kidneys, and, of course, the "butt".

A Super-Fun trip to a pumpkin patch. One of the local homeschooling mommas set this up, and we had a BLAST! There were a number of different "stations" set up throughout the patch, and we got to: go on a scavenger hunt (can you find a really lumpy pumpkin?), find out if our hypothesis was right about a mini pumpkin sinking or floating, estimating, measuring, using our senses, and comparing the weight of our little pumpkins with Reece's Pieces.

We had a really, really fun time. (And as you can see, that was before our *cooler* streak. Nothing says fall quite like visiting the pumpkin patch in shorts!)

And, finally, a trip to our local corn maze. Another great time! Not just a corn maze, they have a farm where you can visit and hold baby animals, a hayride where you can feed their humongo cows (Spellcheck is telling me that's not a word, but it's an accurate description, trust me!), a train to ride, pedal cars to race, a playground, and best of all (according to Firefly), a big tub of dried corn to "swim" in!

I think maybe we'll get back to schoolwork next week ; ). On second thought, I hear there is a Colonial Times kind of festival nearby soon . . .

Thankful on Thursday

2011-10-20T13:11:00.008-04:00

168. finding time to blog

169. a slight chill in the air

170. the celebrations of fall

171. small moments of true joy inside a day filled with worry

172. baby laughter

173. friends who "get it" without explanations

174. the peace brought about by newborn animals

175. Poppys

176. Bible study

177. not throwing up after Cross Fit

178. my children's new fascination with "The Brady Bunch"

179. prayers of friends

180. today

What's in the Box Wednesday. Third Grade.

2011-10-05T06:56:00.000-04:00

Here is a peek at what's in Firefly's workboxes today:

We will be doing some reading from our Science book. Right now we are working on the digestive system. She will do a crossword puzzle out of her Junior Notebook after we read.

It is Poppy's birthday on Friday, so we have to start getting ready : ).

A couple of pages in our trusty math book . . .

And then on to copywork, from the poem we are studying this week.

She will do some independent reading, and then we will work in her Drawn Into the Heart of Reading book together.

Community Bible Study

We are trying to work through this book pretty quickly. Right now she is also working to memorize a new poem.

This is her "Daddy box". Daddy likes to give soccer "assignments" *wink*.

Still working to memorize those addition facts.

These are her OT cards. She will pick one activity to do for a sensory break.

What's in your workboxes today?

Thankful on Thursday.

2011-09-29T14:00:00.000-04:00

143. quiet time

144. cat sleeping on my bed in the sunlight

145. builder who says, "i'll investigate options."

146. children who can talk

147. opportunities to look for things to be thankful for

148. compassionate hearts around us

149. workout buddies

150. bug's giggles

151. light rain falling

152. choices

153. a successful playdate

154. playmobil

155. a healthy body

I hope you all are having a day worth being thankful for!

Firefly Friday. What SPD Means to Us.

2011-09-23T19:34:00.000-04:00

SPD. Sensory Processing Disorder. It is only a piece of Firefly's puzzle, but it is the largest piece, and the piece that makes all of the others harder to fit. Most of her other "issues" can be traced back to this one, probably because she (as her psychologist has told us) has "the worst case I've ever seen." Yay for us!

So, what exactly is SPD? Wikipedia defines it as "a neurological disorder causing difficulties with taking in, processing and responding to sensory information about the environment and from within the own body (visual, auditory, tactile, olfaction, gustatory, vestibular and proprioception).

For those with SPD, sensory information may be sensed and perceived in a way that is different from most other people."

Wow. That's clear. Makes perfect sense now, doesn't it? I think that's part of what's made things so hard when I try to explain SPD to others: coaches, friend's parents, family members, neighbors. (And by the way, that's a topic for another post--Who, exactly, needs to know this about my child?) I can't even explain it correctly to Turtle, much less opening that door to Firefly herself. (And yet another post--to disclose or not disclose a diagnosis to my child. Man, I could be writing for days, here!)

So, here, I'm going to clarify. Help to make clear what SPD means in our lives, for our family. Maybe it will strike a chord with some of you out there and you can help me "educate" / "spread the word" / whatever. Because I'm kind of struggling, and it seems to me that we've had to explain a lot lately.

This Is SPD.

A neurological disorder. It is real. It is invisible. And can I say it again? It is real. I did not make it up. It is real and Firefly has really been diagnosed with it. Yes, I know you do not see her act out. Yes, I know you do not believe my stories. Consider yourself lucky that you have the luxury to think that I am making things up. I wish I were.

Again, a neurological disorder. This means that it is in her brain, not in her parenting. Not in her manipulating behavior. It is in her brain and she was probably born with it. She will always have it. You can't see it on her face or in a missing limb or in the use of a wheelchair. It is, though, a disability all the same.

It causes difficulty taking in, processing, and responding to sensory information from outside and *within her own body*. Know what that means? I could expend a million dollars, man-hours, and brain cells trying to control her environment, and she could still have a falling-down, screaming tantrum. As a matter of fact, that happens more often than not (except for the million dollar part!) Once I was so frustrated that I called the newest doctor we had found, yelling and sobbing and pulling my hair out. "I don't understand WHAT could be going on!" "Well, it's cold outside." Are you kidding me?! As a control freak, Type A Mommy, this stuff is pretty hard to take.

It causes sensory information to be sensed and perceived in a way that is different from most other people. Understatement of the year, that one. Do you know that seams in our socks actually feel like acid being poured onto feet? And seatbelts? Prison. How about scalding bath water that makes her little brother scream? Perfectly comfortable.

The tricky thing about this, though, is that it can change on a ~~daily~~ hourly basis. So just when you think you've got it figured out, the game all changes. (Remember my control freak, Type A tendencies? Yeah, works great here, too!)

SPD means that we don't go on a field trip without an exit plan and the guts to use it--immediately.

It means that we don't go to see movies in the theater, unless it is a super, super, I've-been-begged-by-the-others-until-I-can't-make-any-more-excuses thing. When that happens, we are the family in the theater with ear plugs and sunglasses. (And an escape plan).

It means we also take our sunglasses to the dentist.

It means late hours every night putting together a schedule, and praying that we don't have to make a last minute change to it.

It means that we are that family that really, really needs you to stick to your plans. I understand that that doesn't always happen. She doesn't.

It means that we don't do so many play dates. And when we do, I am in desperate need of a "happy pill" or a cocktail when it is over. That's why we only make small play dates, in case you were wondering. It's also why we tend to make them in another location besides our home.

It means that cutting and writing can actually be painful.

It means that I think that seamless socks, truly seamless, and tagless t-shirts are man's greatest inventions. (Except for maybe earplugs and sunglasses--oh yeah, and gum!)

It means that I wonder on an everyday basis if my daughter will always and forever eat everything with her fingers.

It means countless hours in the car traveling to therapies, countless minutes in waiting rooms, countless nights spent wondering which therapies actually help and which ones could help that we haven't tried yet.

It also means we could have bought a small house for what we have spent on said therapies.

It means that every time we try a new thing I have to wonder if I need to let the "adult in charge" know "all about her".

It means many incidents that I am not proud of when I can't figure her out and can't stop her meltdowns and I lose it myself.

It means that she can't see the shorts that she needs to put on, even when they are right.in.front.of.her.

It means that I can read her a page of a book and she immediately can't remember it. (Well, in fairness I don't know if that's the SPD. But it is incredibly frustrating.)

It means that her baseline anxiety is so high just in getting through the day that anything else unexpectedly thrown at her (say, like a thunderstorm) will send her over the edge.

It means tears, for her, for her siblings, for us as her parents. Almost every day. Like yesterday, from me, in the psychologist's office. Sobs, actually, although I'm not proud of it.

It means being questioned by a pharmacist about why I am the kind of parent that puts my 6 year-old on anxiety medication.

It means endless hours of wondering why I am that kind of parent.

It means the four-hour car rides to visit my father with Alzheimer's Disease don't happen as much as I want them to.

It means that she can't eat the same birthday cake that all of her friends do.

It means that she is the only one on her soccer team to NOT spend the night at a friend's birthday party.

There are so, so, so many other "negatives". It's so easy to dwell on them--too easy, really. It affects almost every.single.piece.of.our.lives. But you know what?

It also means that the quiet minutes Firefly spends spontaneously reading to her brother are priceless.

It means that the exceptional athletic ability that she seems to have is a gift from God, and the fact that she can grasp and understand the concepts of a team sport is another gift.

It means that I still have an eight-year-old, almost nine, who still "really needs" to hold my hand all the time.

It means that those times that we are able to push the tantrum away are exquisitely wonderful.

It means that we take great pride in her learning to use her words to tell us that she "doesn't feel good", or "it's too loud".

It means that she is an incredibly loving, sensitive (I'm using this in the *good* way, this time), sweet little girl who looks out for others.

It means that I have learned to pray.

It means that I have had some really, really good crying-it-out times.

It means that we all eat healthier.

It means that we homeschool, which has been a huge blessing to us.

It means that I have become a better person (well, sometimes).

It means that I have gotten closer to my husband, and to God.

It means that we've discovered that sometimes a warm (OK, boiling hot) bath can fix anything.

It means that I still get to read to her.

It means that my four year-old is learning empathy and how to look out for others.

It means that we have made true friends who we can trust to adapt with us, or to listen to me rant when it's needed.

It means that we get to have cool toys in our house like yoga tapes, trampolines, weighted blankets, therapy balls, and pull-up bars.

It means that I get to say no to outside committments sometimes.

It means that we can slow down.

It means that what looks like an ordinary day to others is a great, wonderful blessing to us.

It means that I can see God sending others to touch us, to help us, and to encourage us.

Would I trade it? Wow. Loaded question. And one I am too emotional to answer. But I do know that it helps to focus on the gifts that SPD has given us. It is what it is. That has become our catchphrase, along with "I can do all things through God who gives me strength." And, to me, finding that strength seems to be worth what we've gone through to need it.

Wordless Wednesday. The Blob.

2011-09-21T17:57:00.000-04:00

Firefly taking a sensory break from school in her Body Sox. Creepy, isn't it?

The Homeschool Mother's Journal.

2011-09-18T21:53:00.001-04:00

in my life this week . . .boy, have we been busy! And all through it I've been fighting what started as allergies and then blew up into a full yucky cold. This week seems to have been *relatively* decision-free as far as our new house goes, which is good, because it's been full of lots of other activities. Which brings me to:

places we're going and people we're seeing. . .We did something new on Monday at lunchtime and headed to the park for a homeschool kickball group. What a great time we had! The girls both decided to join in the game, as they recognized familiar faces, and Bug had a blast organizing his own activity at the other end of the field!

I'm not sure, but I think it's some rendition of "hey, let's pick up this big tube and walk around with it." Whatever. They had a great time!

We continued with our Essentials class, soccer practices, Community Bible Study, and co-op, and then got to enjoy the Fountain of Youth on Friday. A+ field trip. The guides were wonderful, the kids were engaged, and it perfectly capped off the unit of history we had been learning about! (Don't you love it when a plan comes together?!) Unfortunately, I only have a few pictures, because I, of course, forgot to charge the camera and it died approximately five and one-half minutes into the trip!

This is the really cool guy at the entrance that all of my kids refused to take a picture with. (Statue, I mean).

And here is the "fountain" with water coming out. All of the kids got their own little cup of the water to drink. Mine, not impressed. I guess we'll just keep getting older ; )

in our homeschool this week . . .OK, now this is exciting stuff, at least to us geeky homeschool moms! We got butterflies!!! We very excitedly sent off for our baby caterpillars several weeks ago, very carefully followed the directions, and very impatiently have been watching them progress. This week they emerged and showed off their stuff! Here is where we're letting them go, as I was reminded by some smart homeschool mama friends of how long butterflies tend to live.

Also spent some time doing some really cool lessons (thank you, Heart of Dakota!) Here we are bartering our snacks, much as the first settlers learned to do with the Native Americans (I'm pretty sure chocolate goldfish and pretzels weren't hot commodities back then, but, hey--we're using our creativity!) Yep, in case you're wondering, I did continue this just long enough for the tears to start. Luckily, I got my pictures first! Hee hee!

We also spent some time "mapping" out the world with our Ritz crackers. (Again, a little ingenuity since I forgot to pick up graham crackers at the store. So yes, our Asia is approximately the same size as Austrailia--but hey, again, the point was placement, I think!)

my favorite thing this week . . .Easy, peasy! We got to celebrate Daddy! His birthday was on Thursday and he came home early, we cancelled soccer practice for all, and got to hang out. I have such a great hubby!

For more weekly wrap-ups, I am linked up with Kris here. Hope you all had a wonderful week!

Workboxing on Wednesday. Third Grade.

2011-09-14T15:09:00.000-04:00

Thought I would take a few free minutes and update you all on our workboxes. They are still working beautifully (mostly) for being six weeks into school. Here's what they looked like today for Firefly, in third grade:

We actually cheated and used Dance Mat Typing instead, because her brother was using the kids computer and I don't like to run their games on my brand. new. one.

We are studying Jamestown and Captain John Smith, so she has started reading this book. She's actually not too thrilled with it yet, either, but we'll see.

Last day of the *week* for her Community Bible Study workbook. Tomorrow morning we'll go to class.

Each day we do some kind of occupational therapy activity (actually, lots of them just to get through the day, but one goes in her boxes). Today we read a social story about winning and losing games. Ha. We'll see how that goes . . .

We actually squeezed out three lessons in here today. She kind of hates it, really.

This, on the other hand, is a favorite. I think she's just thrilled to not have to "do spelling" anymore. Little does she know . . .

Just picked this up yesterday. I've been hunting for a way to drill those addition and subtraction facts into her head to make math easier. So far, so good. She (and Bug, really) seems to really like the songs.

More math fact drilling. If she knows the flashcard, it can be added to the ring.

And still more math. Those little baggies in the background are full of chocolate chips. I'm not above bribery, you see!

This is to read about what we are working on in our co-op. I think it's great. Firefly, not so much. I think it's written just above her understanding level.

Cursive practice.

So that's what's in our boxes today. What do yours look like? I love to take a peek into what everyone else is doing!

miscellany monday

2011-09-12T07:06:00.000-04:00

one. i consider it a successful saturday if i manage to get all three kiddos to the correct soccer fields at the correct time in the correct uniforms. we managed it this weekend beautifully. yay me!

two. i got a great deal at the grocery store yesterday on bbq pulled chicken. we are having bbq sandwiches tonight. yum.

three. we started community bible study last week. i am amazed at how much i don't know about the bible, especially having been brought up in catholic schools.

four. we are trying to work out the logistics of heading to tallahassee this weekend to watch our beloved seminoles play. it was so much easier to work out when we didn't have soccer games, sleepovers, and babysitters to juggle. hope we make it.

five. we got a new computer last friday. i think i might be in love with it. maybe i will be for sure when i can figure out how to work it ; )

hope you all are having a great monday!

Weekly Wrap-Up. Week of Bugs, and bugs.

2011-09-09T23:44:00.004-04:00

in our homeschool this week . . .I didn't plan for a study of bugs this week, but that seems to be how it's turned out. First of all, our caterpillars arrived. We had ordered them a while ago and I had truly forgotten they were coming, and then they appeared. (I still think it's kind of weird that you can order live caterpillars through the mail.) And, although I thought this would be just a humdrum type of "interesting for about two minutes and then we're on to other things" project, they have been really, really neat!

The most amazing thing to us was how fast they grew--truly doubling in size daily for at least the first three days! I guess Eric Carle knew what he was talking about!

And then, of course, when they started spinning their cocoons we were all glued to the glass! (Even the sweet lady who had come to clean my house, bless her so much, was hanging out to watch!)

They are still cocooned (is that even a word?) as I type this. I'll keep you posted.

We also had a visit from a friendly centipede this week. Again, not intentional. That's what I get for sending Bug out to take the recycling down to the street. You know how sometimes your kids talk to you and you only half-listen? (Or is that only me?) Well, he came in and was chattering away. I'm ashamed to admit that it took me about ten minutes to realize that he was telling me all about the centipede that he was holding! (Yep, that's what I get for tuning him out!)

So, attached, find Amos, the centipede, and Bug's rendition of him, drawn right before I convinced him that it was time to let Amos find his family again.

in my life this week . . .Besides being surrounded by human Bugs and bug bugs, you mean? Well, craziness is the name of the game. I am overwhelmed by the process of building our house. Did you know that there are approximately 1,735,000 choices to be made when building a home? Well, not really, but I feel like I am making that many choices on a daily basis! Which way should the door open? What color bathtub do I want? Where should the air return ducts be placed? Open stairs or closed? REALLY? I'm losing it here, people--quickly!

my favorite thing about this week . . .Watching Firefly proudly display the American Flag at the beginning of our co-op this Thursday. She's really amazing to me, sometimes. I never know what kind of day we are going to have, and she could have spent the whole morning clinging to me for dear life (not that she does that at all ; ), and the next thing I know, she's in front of a group, having volunteered herself spontaneously, proudly holding our flag. Hmmm . . .

places we're going and people we're seeing . . .We are enjoying getting back into a school routine. This week we were on full force, which meant Classical Conversations Essentials class for Turtle, a new Community Bible Study class for all of us, our History and Science Co-Op, and lots and lots and lots of soccer!

questions / thoughts i have . . .I think I'm being forced into realizing that my to-do list does not always have to be done to ensure that my kiddos are learning. Some of our best learning experiences this week have come about due to meetings with builders (helping Mom pick out a bathroom sink) or just plain neglect (Bug's centipede dissertation!) Food for thought.

I am linked up this week with Kris here. Hope you all had a wonderful week!

Wordless Wednesday. What a Difference a Month Makes.

2011-09-07T06:53:00.001-04:00

August 4, 2011

September 4, 2011

miscellany monday

2011-08-29T07:42:00.003-04:00

one. i have a house full of children sleeping right now and i love it. my niece and nephew have joined us for overnight. it is 7:43 and four of the five are still asleep.

two. my 5:15 am workout today was the best one i've done because i came home to shower and then went back to bed!

three. i am actively hunting new crock-pot recipes. i think i am very close to falling in love with my crock-pot for our busy soccer nights.

four. it is our third week of school and we are already taking *another* day off. (i'm not going to tell you how many we've taken off already!)

five. i think four-year-old soccer is the cutest thing ever--pictures to follow.

The Official Workbox Post

2011-08-24T09:37:00.013-04:00

Ok, Ok, here it is. I kept promising and guilting myself, until finally I could get organized enough to write about our workboxes. This is our second year of using workboxes and I love them. Let me say that again--I love them! If you are not familiar with workboxes, I will give you a quick tutorial, but what you really need to do is check out Sue Patrick's workbox information here.

We more or less use a modified version with Bug and Firefly (what else is new, right?) Here's how it goes:

First of all, our workboxes are Rubbermaid containers and lids that sit on a little wire shelf, all picked up at Target. (Yay! Another reason to go to Target!) Each child has eleven boxes, but very rarely are more than nine filled in a day. They have number tags that were specifically made by yours truly to fit each child. (That's why they are so fancy, lol!) Bug chose Batman as his theme, and Firefly picked kittens. Each tag has Velcro on it to attach it to the box.

Each afternoon, during quiet time, I fill boxes for Firefly and Bug. I work off of a schedule that was written out over the summer--you can find something like it here. So, for Firefly, here is an example of what is in her boxes:

This is her workbook to help explain / deal with Sensory Processing Disorder. Really fun activities and some good information.

This is her "Daddy Box". Daddy always seems to come up with ideas for extra soccer practice during the school day.

Handwriting copywork based on the poem we are studying.

Self-explanatory. ; )

This is her independent reading book for history. She will complete a chapter or two, and then we work in her Drawn Into the Heart of Reading book on some days.

We will complete a lesson in here together.

Another Work With Mom special--to keep the math-based tears away.

This is a little Bible Study that we are working on together. On this day, we are working on decorating a special box for treasures.

We will read from this and complete a notebook page together.

On this particular day, we are trying to cram a lot of subjects in because we have co-op tomorrow. Usually, I put things like snacks or computer time in some of her independent boxes, too.
Bug's boxes are currently filled with things like: puzzles, stringing beads, iPad time, popcorn kernels and measuring cups, and one or two boxes to do with me, like Five in a Row or ABC activities. (Mostly things to keep him occupied while the rest of us are working).

I fill each box and put a number on it, and if it is not something that they can do independently, I add a "work with Mom" tag as well.

In the morning, when it is time for them to work independently (mostly), they can pick a box to work on. I used to try to put the boxes in the order I wanted them to work on them, but I always got it wrong and all three kiddos would need me at the same time. Now I just let them pick.

When they complete the box, they take off the number and put it into their chart. This year they have pocket charts that I also found at Target. (Again, yay!) When their charts are fully matched up, they are done for the day. (As of today, it has not happened. Usually I am just moving the unfinished boxes to the following day.)

If you've been to Sue Patrick's website, you may have seen some other scheduling tools and ideas that we do not use. I don't use a schedule strip, for example. Mostly because we have several other scheduling tools that we use specifically for Firefly, to keep her on task, and I didn't feel we needed another.

What I Love About Workboxes:

Can I mention yet again to you all what a Type A personality I am? I love the organization. I can fill a box with everything we need for a lesson, and know that it will all be there when I am needing it the next day.

We all know exactly how much school still needs to be done in a day. I can just look over to the workbox area and groan--I mean--get a feel for how our day is flowing and how much I need to nag--I mean--encourage the kids to work possibly more quickly. I can also see what else I am needed for, by looking at the Work With Mom tags left on the boxes.

We are getting to hit more subjects more often. I can make one box French / Grammar, for example, where I fill it with French lessons on Mondays and Wednesdays, and Grammar lessons on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and not feel like I am neglecting either subject.

We have time / options to use all the cute "fun stuff" that I am forever picking up for school and then dumping into the never-never-land of my office closet. Each week I pull a few things out of there (quickly, before it all collapses on top of me, ha!) and add them to the workboxes for educational breaks.

It helps all members of our family to feel like they have some control. Because, of course, I can't be such a Type A personality and not be raising mini-control freaks as well, right? I can control what gets put in the boxes, so I know what needs to be covered. They can control which subject to do when. Theoretically, at least, it's a win-win.

What I Don't Love About Workboxes:

It takes time. A lot of time, in the beginning. When we first started, and both girls were using workboxes, I was taking at least an hour to fill the boxes each night. At. least. an. hour. More, probably, like two hours. That's gotten better, though. I did a lot of planning over the summer and can fill them now in about 15-30 minutes.

It's a little frustrating, sometimes, to have laid out so plainly in front of me what we clearly didn't get done in a day. That's why I re-fill the boxes early in the day. I just keep the number on the one(s) that didn't get done and voila! It looks like it was meant to be added to the next day!

Overall, I have to say again that I love our workboxes. They work great for our family, although Turtle, all grown up in sixth grade now, has decided she isn't using them this year. I'll post more about how we are organizing with her later.

There are some great websites full of wonderful ladies who use workboxes. Here are some links to them:

www.squidoo.com/workboxes

Homeschool Share

Homeschool Creations

Heart of Wisdom

Sunflower Schoolhouse

There is also a wonderful yahoo group devoted to workboxes!

Thanks for visiting and checking out our boxes! Happy workboxing!

A Day in the Life . . .

2011-08-21T21:29:00.014-04:00

For this week's (and the final) entry into the Virtual Curriculum Fair, I have re-visited an old post from this past fall. I wrote this originally several months ago after planning, and writing, and erasing, and praying, and erasing again, and on and on and on. It looks like a pretty workable schedule.

Right.

I'm laughing (a lot)!

This schedule is no longer working for us.

So I was going to re-write the post, make it look all pretty and neat, and re-post it under "What a Day in Our Homeschool Life Really Looks Like", but, you know what? Our days are never all pretty and neat, and I'm betting (or, rather, really, really hoping) that yours aren't usually either.

So instead I'm just going to *update* this old post with what is working *today*. I'm guessing that a month from now I could update it again, but hey. In the homeschool fantasy life that I live in, we call it Flexibility.

Yeah, there we go.

Without further ado, I present: Different Days in Our Life!

I'm so excited to have completed all four weeks of this fantastic blog hop! And I'm really looking forward to this week--my inner "nosy girl" is just thrilled to peek into everyone else's days, to get some ideas for implementing in our homeschool, and also just to make sure that we are not the only ones who have well-thought-out, well-laid plans that completely fall apart by 10 am (or maybe we are. Hmmm. . .)

So anyway, here we are with "A Day in the Life". I gotta tell you, though, I'm struggling with telling you how our day is planned to go vs. how it actually goes. I guess we'll go with somewhere in the middle!

I get up around 6 or 6:15 to try to take advantage of the few minutes of the day that Bug isn't up to try to get in a quick workout and shower. Now, this week, some crazy friend of mine has talked me into a cross-fit workout that sounds like a lot of fun. But get this--it starts at 5:15. AM. Should be an interesting week, ladies and gentlemen. Especially since I just downed a Diet Coke and a DQ Blizzard and it's 9:35 pm.

**Well, I still tend to get up really early. And, believe it or not, I'm still going to Cross Fit a few days a week. But I'm not still dumb enough to drink a Diet Coke or eat a Blizzard and THEN try to go.**

Anyway, between 7 and 9, we work on our morning lists. What that entails for the kiddos is: breakfast, getting dressed, room checks, chores, quiet time with God, and associated whining, bickering, and talking to Mom through the bathroom door. What it entails for Mom is: breakfast, my chores, staying on top of the kids to get them to do their chores, a last minute rush to get school activities ready, and hiding periodically in the bathroom. (See--a blend between how it should be and how it really is. All honesty here at this blog. Hee hee.)

**We have changed things up a bit here. I, mean Mommy extraordinaire, have now asked for all kiddos to do their math as soon as their breakfast has been eaten and cleared from the table. We do our Bible lesson for the day and morning prayers as soon as everyone is actually AT the breakfast table, and do math as they finish eating. I've found that this way, (1) the math tears are out of the way early in the day, and (2) the two most important subjects (or one most important and one least liked) have been taken care of. If we get off-track and do nothing else all day, those have been finished. After math, we rush into the mad dash of morning tasks. And yes, I still hide in the bathroom.**

Assuming we have not yet left the house for therapy or doctor appointments, we jump into some kind of PE from 9-9:30. Last week I let the kids pick a video from some cute exercise ones I had found at the library. Today I of course could not find any at the library. I think we are going for some outside time or dance parties here this week. This PE is actually a ploy to get Firefly some intense stimulation before I can expect her to focus on any kind of work.

**Yep, well this was a great idea. But we don't really do it anymore. I don't know why we dropped it, because it's way important for her. I think once we move (which should happen soon, theoretically) we will incorporate this again.**

At 9:30 we usually start our group work: history, geography, poetry, Bible, art. Then at 10, we theoretically start some independent work. Both Firefly and Bug have workboxes (which I have promised to blog about before and will continue to promise it until I finally actually do it, I promise ; ) Bug's boxes at this point are some really neat ways for him to entertain himself while the rest of us are (supposed to be) working. Turtle gets a list of all assignments due for the week by Sunday evening, and she likes to split them up into days herself. Our independent work time should look like: each child works quietly and efficiently through their boxes until their time to work with Mom.

**We aren't doing group first thing anymore. When each kiddo is ready, we just go ahead and begin the independent box work. I take turns with each when they need me for a "Work With Mom" box. Turtle is back to me scheduling the work for her. Seems she was getting pretty overwhelmed trying to do it herself. My goal for her is back to independently time managing.**

What it actually looks like is somewhat controlled chaos. We use a lot of timers, chocolate chips (for bribery--yes, you heard me right), and slightly raised voices. I just know I'll get a better system than this someday.

**Yep, still controlled chaos. Usually from about nine or so until about 11 or 11:30.**

Usually, though, we are able to (mostly) finish (most) of our boxes by noon. We do stop for a snack break about 10:30, which we have started this year and which has seemed to help control the chaos somewhat. At noon, Bug is my lunch helper and he and I get lunches ready. Lunch cracks me up at my house, because it has somehow morphed into the four of us and at least twenty books at the kitchen table. It is the only meal we let the kids read through, and they definitely take full advantage of it! It's amazing that any plates fit on the tabletop!

**This still works. Probably because of our "books at the lunch table" thing.**

After lunch, we have started using "one more thing", which you can find out more about here. Yes, I stole that idea and it works great. I usually use that time to finish our group work, or, more likely, one or two of Firefly's boxes with her.

**Our "One More Thing" time has become our group activity time. This "thing" is usually history reading, timelines, art learning, or other activities. I'm still loving One More Thing.**

At 1:30, it is--wait for it--Quiet Time. I've already written about how I've fallen in love with Quiet Time. Yes, the love affair still holds strong! It's still working--beautifully some days and just barely on some others--but still working.

**I will never not love Quiet Time.**

At 3, Firefly is my snack helper. While we eat, I read from our current read-aloud. After snack, they usually get about thirty minutes of TV time, followed by PM Pick Up time, followed, usually, by "hurry-up-and-get-dressed-for-soccer" time. You see, we are that soccer family, and we are at the soccer fields at least three evenings during the week. (Bug even made the statement at one point that the fields were "just like a big yard for us to play with our friends". I didn't know whether to laugh or cry--because he's exactly right!)

**Yep, still that soccer family. Never seems to end. The only difference in this part of the routine now is the addition of an Art Class on Wednesday afternoons and CCD on Tuesdays that eat up this time.**

Soccer practice ends and is followed by "you-stink-so-please-go-right-to-the-bathtub" time, dinner, and stories and bedtime, so we can start again the next day.

**This still happens, too.**

Wow--this was a long post! No wonder I'm so tired!

Can't wait to peek into your lives--I mean--see how you all are spending your days! Thanks for visiting our crazy days!

**So it's a period of always-changing, ever-adjusting schedules that we fit our days into. As soon as we seem to figure something out, something will always change. Hey, that's the fun of it, right?

Looking forward to hopping around to see your days!**

Weekly
Homeschooling Schedule by Julie @ HighHill Homeschool

Virtual
Curriculum Fair: Week 5: The Nuts & Bolts: Pulling it all
Together by Leah @ The Courtney Six Homeschool

Our
Schedule's Working! by Eunora @ All Things NoriLynn

Homeschooling:
How do I do it all? by Debbie @ Debbie's Digest

Virtual
Curriculum Fair--- Wrap-up Angie @ Petra School

Virtual
Curriculum Fair: 5 Ways to Use an iPad in Your Homeschool by Pam @
Everyday Snapshots

A
Peek Into Our School Day by Melissa @ Grace Christian Homeschool

A
Day in the Life... by Nicole @ Schooling in the Sun

Homeschool
and Life: How we get it done by Jen @ Forever, For Always, No
Matter What

Homeschooling
at My House by Jessica @ Modest Mama

Getting
a Grip on Things by Susan @ Homeschooling Hearts & Minds

Making
Home School a part of LIFE by Cindy @ For One Another

Now
Where's That Pencil Again? by Beth @ Ozark Ramblings

Something
About Homeschooling I Really Didn't See Coming by Letha @
justpitchingmytent

Curriculum,
Kids, and a Frazzled Homeschool Mama leads to Controlled Chaos! by
Laura O from AK @ Day by Day in Our World

The
Virtual Curriculum Fair – Nuts and Bolts by Kristen @ Sunrise to
Sunset

Staying
on Top of Everything by Brenda Emmett @ Garden of Learning

Firefly Friday. Fifteen Minutes.

2011-08-18T20:01:00.004-04:00

Let me start this off by saying, we have been working really, really hard this summer. We, as in Firefly, myself, her therapists, psychologists, doctors, you-name-its. We actually ended off last school year relatively unsuccessfully--that is, if you define success as "Boy, I can't wait to do this again next year", instead of, "What I wouldn't pay for that big yellow school bus to come and take her away every day".

We were really, really, really ready for summer (which is why it came to our house in early May).

So, yes, we have been working really hard this summer. Her Occupational Therapist found several visual processing issues that have been addressed. Her psychologist and psychiatrist have OK'd her medication levels. We have started all kinds of alternative medical practices.
I have prayed. I have tried my best to get my mind right. She is excited about school. Our principal is fully behind us.

And last week, at her OT re-eval, her OT was glowing. Positively thrilled. All kinds of excited about the documented progress they had made. "She's doing great!" actually even came out of her mouth.

**Side note here. I used to be that therapist. I spent years working in Early Intervention. I know how they / we think. I recognize the excitement over baby steps. For Pete's sake, I can clearly remember having tears in my eyes when one of my little ones pointed to her nose upon request for the first time. She was two. Now she's nine. I remember.**

So I should have recognized it when I saw it from the other side. The parent side. Instead, I got all caught up in it. Yay! That's wonderful! She's doing great! (Be careful, here. This is the path that leads to the expectation of "fixing" her.)

And then I started asking the questions.
Really, I should have quit while I was ahead.

"So, let me get this straight. When we are trying to cut, she should be able to do it?"
"Yep. That's right."
"When we are working on copywork, she should have no trouble?"
"Yep. That's right."
"Her hands are not getting tired from holding the pencil?"
"Yep. That's right."
Again, I should have quit while I was ahead. But I didn't. (Do I ever?)

"So, realistically, while I am working to plan out our school day, what is a realistic amount of time to expect her to sit and focus on, or complete, a task?"
"About fifteen minutes."

Next time, I promise, I will quit while I am ahead.

Fifteen minutes?!
Are you kidding me?!
What on earth would we be dealing with if this kid was in school--for six and a half HOURS?

Fifteen minutes.
Baby steps.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and all that jazz.

In fifteen minutes, we have just managed to open our books to the right page.
We have just managed to finally find a pencil that works.
We have just managed to get ourselves under control and NOT throw a tantrum about doing the work (and that includes a five-minute stint in our bedrooms--well, Firefly's bedroom. I usually don't have to send myself, although that has been known to happen.)

Fifteen minutes.
I don't really know what to do with that. Really throws a monkey wrench into planning a school day, though.

I know. Baby steps.
We'll take what we can get.
Actually, I'm glad I asked, although I was less-than-thrilled with the answer. Nothing like setting us both up with incredibly high, impossibly high, expectations.

So we're working through it. Trying to manuever through the school day with fifteen minute bursts. I'm working on my patience.
And we're going to work really hard.

Maybe, by December, we'll be up to seventeen minutes.
(Hey, a girl has to dream, right? ; )

Wordless Wednesday. Or Why You Shouldn't Let Your Four Year Old Play on Your Cell Phone to Make Him Be Quiet at Doctor's Appointments.

2011-08-16T21:13:00.013-04:00

(i wouldn't recommend giving it to him at the soccer field, either. *wink* )

"Not Back to School" School Pictures!

2011-08-14T20:43:00.008-04:00

This will be my third entry into Heart of the Matter's "Not Back to School"Hop.
And thank goodness that I had looked ahead to see what was coming and remembered to take pictures! This week we get to showcase "School Pictures". Seems kind of a broad topic.

But I'll play along and show off our "First Day of School" pics. All three kiddos are pictured with their brand-new "Study Buddies". This is part of our first day of homeschool ritual, which I keep meaning to blog about . . .*sigh*. Anyway, each child gets to pick out a new stuffed animal before we start school, which they then name and snuggle with as their Study Buddy for the year. Both girls this year have actually kept their Study Buddies handy in the schoolroom, and even made seats for them.

Bug--well, you'll see. He's not quite got the hang of the Study Buddy idea, yet. ; )

So, without further ado, here are our school pics with our newest family members:Here is Turtle, entering sixth grade, with "Kermit" the Frog Pillow Pet. (Yep, she named him all by herself.) Firefly, entering third grade, with Wendell, the Teacup Piggie (Don't ask. I think I've told you all more than once before that I don't know how this kid's mind works.)

Here is Bug, 4 years old, and yes, he picked out a whole Green Lantern flannel blanket for his Study Buddy. Oh, well, I guess it doubles as a great "Sleepy Buddy" as well!

I hope you all are enjoying your start of not-back-to-school.

Firefly Friday. The Great Summer Camp Experiment.

2011-08-12T12:47:00.006-04:00

We've gone back into a school routine, now, but a few weeks ago we were looking for something to break up the big expanses of the summer days. Crazy, I know.

We had done (more than) our share of soccer camps, short half-day camps held at our familiar soccer fields and filled with lots and lots of running, kicking, physical activity.

Then I discovered this great summer camp opportunity. It was a full day based out at a Girl Scout campground. It offered lots of swimming, hiking, canoeing, arts and crafts, archery, etc. All the different "real camp" things that I remembered doing when I was a kid.

Wow! What better way than that for Firefly to spend her day? She would get to be outside, get to be running, physical, climbing, discovering! Sounded just right up her alley, right? A perfect fit and a magical way to spend eight hours.

So I signed both girls up. And I even looked for some fun things for Bug and I to do together in our "found" time. We talked up camp. The girls looked it up online and were super-excited. I packed lunches, bathing suits, goggles, bug spray, and lots and lots of sunscreen.
And off they went on Day One.

And Firefly hated it.

The kids were mean.
It was too long.
She was really hungry.
She had to wear socks and sneakers.
They didn't get to __________ (each day a new complaint here).
And worst of all, there was thunder.

Look. I know that I am a control freak. (And, yes, I know my friends are rolling on the floor laughing here at the understatement that I just made). That is probably the biggest reason that I struggle so hard with Firefly, truthfully. But I am at a loss here. I can control how much and what kinds of food I pack her. I can control which clothes she has to wear. I can control earplugs when sounds are too loud, sunglasses when the sun is too bright, a relaxing bath when the world is just too tough.

But I can't control thunder.

And just so you know, we live in Florida. Thunderstorms are an everyday occurence during the summer months. Everyday. Firefly has had plenty of experience with thunder. But when she heard it at camp, she lost it. Truly lost it. Sobbing, out-of-control, lost it. Refused to budge, do anything at all, lost it.

Alienated herself from possible friends, embarrassed her older sister, annoyed counselors kind of lost it.

*sigh*

Some days, I'm at a loss myself, ladies and gentlemen.
And it strikes me yet again that I have a special needs kiddo.
And one that I truly do not understand.

This wonderful, magical, nature-y (yes, I know that's not a word), picture-perfect childhood memory camp experience that I thought I had organized for my girls turned into a torture session.

And guess what?
Mom of the year that I am, I made her go three more times!

Denial is a wonderful thing, sometimes.

We role-played the thunder thing.
We practiced deep breathing.
We gave suggestions for things to tell herself when she *thought there might be thunder coming in the next two hours*.
I equipped Turtle with some "in the moment" suggestions.
I talked to the camp director.
I offered my phone number over and over again.

Every day, guess what?
It thundered.
She flipped out.

Major letdown.
I guess I have learned my lesson about summer camp for next year.
I'm still struggling with why, though. Which part of this was so wrong when it seemed like it would be so right?
Will I one day understand?
Why am I trying so hard to understand when what I need to do is parent?
Is there a difference?

Arrgh. Here we go with all of the questioning again. And, I guess, back to the answer. We are all wonderfully made. God knows what He is doing. I can do all things through He who gives me strength. God knows what He is doing.
If only I did!

But I do know one thing. I'm thankful that during the school year there are no summer camps.

Weekly Wrap-Up. Our First Week!

2011-08-11T15:56:00.018-04:00

in my life this week. . .we are getting back into a routine! *whew* I am way too much of a Type A personality to have so much unstructured time! So I was really thankful for getting back to school / routine / even soccer (did I really just say that?!) Structure makes for a happier Mommy, and we all know what a happy Mommy means, hee hee!

in our homeschool this week . . .we started right in on Day One with our core curriculum, Heart of Dakota (you can find out more about it here). We are using Bigger Hearts for His Glory, and have started in our study of American History with lots of reading and activities about Christopher Columbus. We also started learning about biographies, and did an art lesson about perspective when drawing the ocean. In Bible lessons, we are memorizing some verses from Proverbs, and in Science, Firefly and I are learning about the ocean and seashore life. Here's her first notebooking entry: And, of course, for all of my preschool planning / panicking / questioning, I could not resist having something for Bug to do during school time, so yes, here is our Chicka Chicka Boom Boom tree: I'm so glad I can't hear you all laughing right now at my obvious lack of artistic ability. (Even Bug resisted when he told me there were no coconuts on it--thanks, kid!) I tried to get Turtle to make it, but she never seemed to get around to it. Hmmm, maybe I should have just blamed this disaster on her anyway.

places we're going and people we're seeing: not nearly as many as we have had invitations for. Seems that although all of our public school friends have been off all summer long, they are only now deciding to get out and about quickly before school starts back up for them next week. So, we have so far not gone: to the pool, to the beach, to mini golf, to the movies. I know, I know, I should have just started school one week later. But did I mention my need for structure? (And, yes, my Type A personality?) However, we did manage to get in a trip to Plaster Palace, a couple of meals out, and we are headed to the pool tomorrow afternoon.

my favorite thing about this week: I'm not going to comment on the routine again. So, I guess my favorite thing can be my re-reading of Ann Voskamp's One Thousand Gifts. I'm trying so hard to absorb it all this time around.

questions i have, thoughts i have: Turtle's load is noticeably larger this year. She also is transitioning to being more in charge of it than she has in the past. I'm waiting for the tears and the rebellion. Does anyone have suggestions for helping this transition?

favorite photo, link, or quote for the week: I couldn't resist. This is Bug, who had been hanging just outside his door while waiting for the last five minutes of Quiet Time to end. Seems I didn't make it end quite in time . . .

I'm linked up this week with Kris from weird, unsocialized homeschoolers, and at the Homeschool Mother's Journal. Hope you all are having a tremendous week!

Thankful on Thursday

2011-08-10T15:41:00.006-04:00

120. another day

121. kids playing with moon sand in the sunshine on the back porch

122. no one fighting

123. sunshine on the back porch

124. healthy children laughing

125. enough food to eat

126. the scent of dinner cooking

127. phone calls to Granddaddy

128. proud smiles on my daughters

129. little lightning strikes

130. "peas in a pod" friends, for me and for my children

131. peacefully sleeping children

132. food in the freezer

133. healthy children playing

134. staying home with my family

Wordless Wednesday. The Zoo.

2011-08-09T19:09:00.005-04:00

Turtle Tuesday. Soccer Nationals.

2011-08-09T19:04:00.005-04:00

Hi! Sorry about missing a lot of weeks. I have been very busy!

My 3v3 soccer team went to Nationals at Walt Disney World's Wide World of Sports. We got third place in our bracket!

We got a cool trophy. Here is a picture:

Sorry, again. We just have been very busy with soccer and summer! Bye!

Drum Roll, Please . . .Our Schoolroom!!

2011-08-07T21:04:00.009-04:00

Ooh, the giddiness is just surrounding us here at home! We have spent all of last week getting the schoolroom ready to go. You know, don't you, that during the summer it is simply a playroom? But, ta da, it is transformed (bibbidi-bobbidi-boo!) Instant schoolroom.So here are some pictures of it before it becomes transformed once again into the "chaos-room"! Pictures are way more exciting than words for this kind of post, anyway! The picture above is our "block corner", where we also have our cool, nifty new world and state maps, our calendar, and Bug's writing board (to discourage writing on the walls in other places. Ha.) (And when did I become such a geek that new maps have about put me over the edge with excitement? I guess that is a topic for another post.)Here is the closest thing that my physical therapist-husband would let us have to a trampoline for Firefly. We actually even call it the trampoline, because we are really good at pretending! It's actually a blow up ball pit, and stores all of our therapy balls in it when it is not storing stuffed animals or Firefly or Bug. This gets plenty of use as a sensory / movement break throughout the day. See that big red ball? That gets even more use, as Firefly bounces / rolls / flings her body across it during read-aloud times. Lots of fun here, ladies and gentlemen. Lots of fun. Ha again.Here is where we keep our library book basket with assorted choices of sitting materials for reading. Please ignore the cat toy.Here are our lovely color-coded cubbies (did I mention my Type A personality traits?) for pencil boxes, markers, glue bottles, OT cards, gum, and anything else that could possibly be fought over. Those shelves are where we are storing Mom's materials, as well as Turtle's. She is not using workboxes this year, so her stuff is all on the shelves with an assignment sheet hung up on the bulletin board just above this that you cannot see.Well, actually, there is part of the bulletin board. Now you just have to ignore the blurry picture. Yuck! Here is our computer for school, and where Turtle and I will spend the majority of our school days.And here is where Bug and Firefly will attempt to sit to do their "work". Those orange pieces of paper are where Firefly made sure to label which seat was hers and which was her brother's. Those things in the back are their workboxes, newly labeled with Kitty tags for Firefly and Batman ones for Bug. I'll do a whole post on workboxes one of these days.

So that's our schoolroom. We are blessed with this extra room that we added to our home with the arrival of Bug a few years ago. It's a cheery, spacious place to spend our days. Now, if only we could label ourselves "cheery" as we spend our days there . . .

Happy schooling, everyone!

Homeschool Mother's Journal

2011-08-05T15:27:00.009-04:00

So I'm finally trying to really make some kind of routine out of the postings here. I even had a nice little schedule, all written out, and I was all excited to even *gasp* get a little ahead of the game, and then I decided to crash our whole wireless network! Yay me!

I guess that takes me right into in my life this week . . .Yep. Crashed the network. All of it. No iPads, no iTouches, no computer. Nada. So my hubby and I watched a DVR'd episode of Criminal Minds from (wait for it) February last night. And enjoyed it. And went to bed early. And, as much as I wanted to, I didn't cry! And the wonderful computer man came today and fixed what I broke. He is added to my gratitude list! (I don't think he was too thrilled when I told him that, though!)

In our homeschool this week . . .I'm getting really excited! We have spent this week preparing for our "official" first day of school, which is next Monday. I'll post about our traditions later. Just let it be known that the schoolroom is clean (!), new workbox numbers are cut out and laminated, new schedules are made (and also laminated), new maps are hung, and "study buddies" have been purchased. It's getting closer, and I'm getting giddy. (How embarrassing!)

Places we're going and people we're seeing . . .Last minute haircuts, therapy appointments, and doctor visits, all trying to be crammed in before we start school. Also, the girls had their second American Girl Book Club this morning, which they are really enjoying. And, along the way, we have been making (at least) twice daily trips to our former "big pile of expensive dirt", which, as of this week, is beginning to look quite different!My favorite thing about this week . . .You mean, besides having my computer back? Watching my kiddos get excited about school. I'm sure it will all fade away rather quickly, but for now, they are excited.

Questions or thoughts I have about homeschooling? How long until we lose this wonderful enthusiasm this year? How can I make it last longer?

A photo, link, or quote to share . . ."Thanksgiving creates abundance; and the miracle of multiplying happens when I give thanks--take the just one loaf, say it is enough, and give thanks--and He miraculously makes it more than enough." Ann Voskamp, 1000 Gifts.

I hope you all had a wonderful week!

Thankful on Thursday

2011-08-04T16:56:00.006-04:00

101. Vacation Bible School

102. my kids belting out VBS songs at the top of their lungs.

103. time by myself, given to me by:

104. a wonderful babysitter not scared of Sensory Processing Disorder

105. Jodi Picoult books

106. "slightly" cooler weather

107. clean, newly organized schoolroom

108. the excitement of a new school year

109. Bug sounding out words all by himself

110. good news from our builder

111. a Poppy who loves to watch my kiddos when one has to go to a doctor's appointment

112. a husband who works so hard to provide for us

113. a chance to re-read 1000 Gifts

114. safe travels

115. positive attitudes in the midst of soccer tournaments

116. daughters' smiles as they are proud of themselves

I hope you are having a blessed Thursday!

Beginning to Settle In

2011-08-01T20:40:00.011-04:00

Well, here it is. Today we officially started our "easing-our-way-back-into-routine" week. Yep.
We started it.
And I made it through the first day without yelling at anyone. Yay, me!
Actually, it was a pretty peaceful day.
Yep, there were arguments.
Yep, there were tears (but not mine).
Yep, I did break down and just buy us frozen yogurt for dinner. (But I made them each add fruit to their stash!)
But, it was kind of smooth. We even did a math lesson for each girl after lunchtime (remember how I said there were tears?)
I completed (and put away) one entire load of laundry.
We went to the library, and I actually found one CD that I needed.
I read to each child out loud.
I got to check my email.
I even got to call one friend and talk to her for ninety seconds before being interrupted!
I sound surprised, don't I? Well, after the past few weeks, I have kind of been dreading this week. See, we are planning to start our new school year next Monday. So this week was our full-force, character training, stop letting everything slide so that we can actually entertain the idea of schooling next week week. Naturally, I was expecting lots of resistance, lots of attitude, lots of whining, lots of (of course) tears.
Where were they? It really was a peaceful day, with small (and not-so-small) accomplishments along the way.
Maybe my kids have been as stressed out about this crazy summer as I have been. Maybe they were ready for some more structure to our days. Maybe they are just saving it all up for tomorrow! ; )

But along my list of accomplishments is my foray into file sharing. Today I created a 4shared account, and uploaded my newest masterpiece (haha). I made a picture routine of what our morning should look like as we ease into school. Right now, it is our Before 9:30 sheet. Today we completed it at 10:15. My goal is to one day successfully finish by *gasp* 9:15. (I know, I know, such lofty goals are not always such a good thing!) I am going to attempt to share it with you all here. We'll see if it works.

How are all of your preparations going? When do you all plan to start school? Can you even get to my cool picture schedule? I'd love to hear . . .

And We're Off!

2011-07-28T15:36:00.005-04:00

Snacks are packed, coolers loaded, cleats located, cat sitter found, dog dropped off, children bickering. Must be time for a road trip! Wish us luck. We are headed to Orlando for the weekend for Turtle and Firefly to play in a national 3v3 soccer tournament. We'll let you know how they do (and if we all survive the brutal heat found on a soccer field in the middle of the day in late July in Orlando, Florida!) But I digress . . .

Stay cool wherever you are this weekend and send popsicle-laden prayers to us!

miscellany monday

2011-07-25T19:24:00.005-04:00

one. i started "date day" with my kiddos this month. each one gets one day a month that they get to spend some extra, "out-of-the-house" time just with mommy. (some days that's probably more of a treat than others, but you know how it goes . . .) the day they go is their birthday day each month. today bug and i are going to see cars 2. wish us luck!

two. i got a new bag when i hosted a thirty-one party. i love my new bag. i really, really, really love it!

three. two and a half hours goes by really fast when i am home by myself. this week the girls are at an all day camp and bug is at vacation bible school. joy of joys. i am getting a taste of "what would have been" if i had chosen to chase down the big yellow bus and put them on it (which has been threatened a time or two). i miss them (a little teeny-tiny bit), but have discovered how fast time really can fly.

four. i think my plans for my alone time this week are too ambitious. today i had really big plans and then the power went out. bye-bye ambition. hello frustration.

five. impromptu ice cream parties are amazing!

Thankful on Thursday

2011-07-21T10:52:00.003-04:00

84. Bug proudly making breakfast for his sisters.
85. watching my girls play soccer.
86. my husband's caring heart.
87. sunny days (before 9:00 am when it is officially TOO HOT).
88. a respite from Firefly's tantrums.
89. mom's night out.
90. laughing with friends until I cry (at mom's night out).
91. a freshly cleaned house (except for the playroom which is now covered in puzzles--see my other post).
92. time to curl up on the couch with a book.
93. time to curl up on the couch with a book. (I am so grateful for this surprise gift of time that I am listing it twice).
94. chocolate.
95. a friend deciding to homeschool.

Puzzles, continued.

2011-07-21T10:44:00.005-04:00

So evidently, when I went to take the pictures of Bug and his puzzles yesterday for Wordless Wednesday, he wasn't done. Here is what greeted me in the playroom today:

Apparently, Turtle and Firefly thought they would get into the act, too. Let me just say, I'm pretty sure we haven't pulled the puzzles out for, oh, about six months. Hmmm, these kids must be getting bored. Maybe we should start school . . .

Wordless Wednesday. Puzzles.

2011-07-20T14:23:00.011-04:00

We had to take the picture this way to hide the one piece that was missing, lol. Of course, right?

Firefly Friday. The Seventh. Still Searching.

2011-07-15T20:48:00.008-04:00

Truly, what is the matter with me? OK. Maybe don't answer that. I'm just wondering if my continual search for new therapies / treatments / "strategies" to use with Firefly is in an effort to be a good mom and help her interact with her world, or is an effort to make my life easier because it "might" work and make our days less stressful.

Is there a difference?

I know a few weeks ago I had been hit over the head and forced to realize that I needed to stop looking for an answer, for a "fix" for my child. I even have gone back and read my post. I was working on the idea that God gave Firefly to me, and me to her, just as He designed. There was a reason we were in this family together.

That idea was re-presented to me today, at our local homeschool convention. (Don't you just love those, by the way? My favorite part is when I keep hearing the same refrain over and over again from different speakers--God knowing just what I need to hear and effectively screaming it at me!) "It is not our job to fix our children." Thank you, Debbie Strayer.

I agree. I really do. And in my head I think that I'm really at peace with that fact for Firefly. In my heart, evidently, not so much.

Because I'm wondering why, between the last post and this one, have we been to an Acupuncturist and an Osteopath? Why are we participating in new nutritional supplementation, cranio-sacral manipulation, foot detox baths, and fig seeds inside ears?

I am back to: what is the matter with me?

Aside from many of the obvious choices, not really totally relevant to this post, I'm not sure. Is this part of being a mom? I remember our (my) relentless search for a diagnosis for her. Years, this took. I just could not be at peace until I knew / was validated. There was SOMETHING going on with her. I just needed to know what it was.

Quite a far cry from my working days when I would continually preach, "it really doesn't matter what the specific diagnosis is. We are working on the symptoms, and on how to help your child navigate through their daily life." Really? Now I'm a parent, and I can tell you, it does matter what the diagnosis is. At least, it does to me.

Now I am more at peace. I really am. Most days, anyway. But then I hear about someone who tried something that I haven't tried, and had positive results, and then I start my litany of "what if's?" Could this ONE thing be the one that would (forgive me, Lord) fix things? How could I not try it?

So, off we go. Decision made. We are going to try this. Now the second-guessing comes in. How long should we try before we decide to stop? If there are changes, how do I know this is causing them? Could any of this harm her?

Why can't I accept that this is the way God made her?

What is the matter with me?

Here's where I need you guys. Is this a mom thing? Will this search really be relentless, or will it just end when I get my own mind right? I know there are other moms out there with their own special kiddos, and I'd love your input.

In the meantime, the journey continues. I'm not really sure which answer I'm searching for, but I think I'll know it when I find it. And while I wait, I still have one more day of our homeschool convention. Wonder what will be screamed at me tomorrow? I'll keep you posted . . .

Thankful on Thursday. The Gift.

2011-07-14T18:42:00.004-04:00

I didn't want to go with a whole list today. Not because I'm not continuing to count my gifts, because the counting is going on and on and on (gratefully). But because I have a whole list that is wrapped up in this one photograph.

Kind of a strange picture, to say the least. Yes, it's a little kid in very adorable plaid shorts and a (not-so-adorable) black ninja mask. Yes, he is holding a duct tape rose that is bright pink (more on the continuing saga that is the duct tape obsession in our house later). Yes, he is barefoot and we have clearly either just gotten out of the van from going somewhere or are getting ready to get into it, and my four year-old has no shoes and a ninja mask (and a rose).

So let's forget about commenting on my parenting prowess and get to the point of the picture. That other guy (the big one) is my dad. He lives about three hours away from us and is up here visiting for the week. That in itself is a gift. I love my dad, and we have had a close relationship for many years.

My kiddos adore their Granddaddy. Turtle willingly gives up her room for a week at a time and crashes out on her sister's floor. Bug immediately commandeers Granddaddy to play cars, or superheroes, or some kind of convoluted game of "well, I'll be all of the good guys and you can have this guy, no, I mean this one, and then I'll knock all your guys into the hot lava and then I win." This is another whole set of gifts.

My dad has early onset Alzheimer's Disease. The dad that I grew up with, who took me to baseball games and coached my softball team and drove me to look at colleges, is, well, changing. And I feel like we are in a race against time. How many memories, fun times together, Granddaddy-hugs, can we fit into my kids' brains before the times they have with him will be so different? How long will it be before my dad looks at my son and can't remember his name?

Gee, that's completely depressing. Sorry. I don't let myself go there much. But I do feel the pressure of this race. I do want to give my kiddos the experience of the same kinds of wonderful memories that I have of my dad. I want them to remember what kind of cool person he was / is. (And, to be honest, he's even a little bit cooler now than he was when I was little. He is slowly losing some inhibitions, which sounds scary until you realize that we have had some amazing dance parties in the past several months. And Dad can play a mean air guitar. Who would've thought?!)

My dad's thing is baseball. He really, really, really loves baseball. And not any particular team anymore, but just the game itself. He may have trouble remembering the date, but just ask him A-Rod's batting average, or who the starting pitcher in the All-Star game was. That is probably one of the most defining things about him when I think of him. His dream in retirement was to buy an RV and travel to every major league baseball stadium for a game.

That dream of his has pretty much been stripped away from him for now, and he is OK with that. He has a remarkably good sense of humor and acceptance for what is happening to him. But, hopefully, just that little snapshot of my dad will give you an idea of the importance and honor I saw with the gift that was given to me yesterday.

I was in the back of the house, folding the laundry (surprise, surprise), and when I came out to the playroom I found my gift. My dad was teaching Bug to bat. He was patiently moving Bug's hands on the bat to the right position. He was quietly pitching the Lightning McQueen soft baseball to him over and over and over. He was cheering and encouraging Bug with each swing. He was passing on his enjoyment and knowledge of his favorite game to his only grandson. And Bug will remember.

Thank you, God, for the gift You gave me, You gave my son, and You gave my family. I am in awe of the wonderful ways You show us Your love. I am truly thankful today.

Trying Something New

2011-07-11T14:10:00.005-04:00

A friend of mine had this on her blog, and I've enjoyed getting to know her better through it, so I thought I would join in. Besides, it's kind of a fun thing for Mondays!

1. i really really really want to be one of those ladies who menu-plan. it's such a great (organized--my favorite word), money-saving idea. i haven't managed to pull it together to do it yet.

2. i still have a teddy bear on my bed from a high school boyfriend. it's name is super-teddy. (maybe that is too much information!)

3. i am a little jealous that whenever i want my ipad my husband and / or a child already has it.

4. i have now successfully put off cleaning up the outside play area for two whole days, and it's about to rain. make that three whole days.

5. i am the uno champion in my house. they won't all admit it, but it's true.

To Preschool or Not To Preschool . . .

2011-07-10T21:22:00.003-04:00

Well, so far I'm feeling pretty good about next year's curriculum and planning ahead. I feel so good about it that I'll even get around to blogging it one of these days, lol! Both girls have their first twelve weeks mapped out, with copies made, lists filled, books ordered, etc.

Trust me. It sounds way more organized than it really is.

But I'm struggling a bit with Bug.

He is four, turning five, this year, which makes him eligible for our state-sponsored Pre-K program. It is offered for three hours a day, and did I mention that it is free? My dear friend runs the school that I would choose for Bug to go to, and I can even have the perk of "non-mandatory" attendance if I need to. Ha. That's good, because we've only been out of the public school system for two years and I am already squirming at the idea of "mandatory" anything.

There is even an afternoon session for him, which means the guilt of "he's in school all morning, we eat lunch, and then I send him to his room for Quiet Time" is gone. (Because, you know, I HAVE to have my Quiet Time!)

Everything seemed to fall in line. It was a sign, you know. He was supposed to go to PreK. And then I would have all morning with him to work with him, too!

What?!
What was I thinking?
Who "does school" with their PreK-er, and then sends him off to PreK for three hours?

OK, so does that mean he doesn't go off to school this year? So if he is going to be at home with us, what should I do with him? What curriculum should I use? He already knows all of his letters and letter sounds. But I'm not ready for teaching him how to read (nor for that matter, is he). How do I not pull my hair out with all of the choices? Ahhhh!!

And then I read a wonderful post from Simple Schooling. And if only I could find it again. sigh.

Seems that kids don't actually need to "do PreK". Hmmm. Novel idea, I know.

You know God put that post out there for me to find. I know He did, because the peace that I had once I found it and read it was immense. What if I actually just set aside some time to "be" with Bug in the mornings? What if we read some books, took some walks, built some Lego towers? Wonder of wonders, he might actually enjoy just listening to his sisters' lessons and science "experimenting" with them, too! I think I'm liking this!

I know it's not for everyone. For us, though, our last year of "not school" is going to be enjoyed. We have years (and years and years) to go. We're not going to rush this one.

So, It's Been Awhile . . .

2011-07-08T14:38:00.010-04:00

Long time, no blog, I know. Is it ridiculous that I feel the pressure to blog? Don't answer that. I'm pretty sure I don't want to hear the answer. ; )

And, now, of course, that I've finally gotten to sit down and write, Quiet Time only has nineteen more minutes. And we all know how much I will accomplish once Quiet Time is over (especially since it's the first one since we've come home from vacation, and I've already had numerous visitors to my office. Apparently we've forgotten what Quiet Time is actually all about!)

So, here is just a quick post about what we've been up to, with a picture or two (there would be more, but of course my camera battery died and I couldn't find the charger that I had packed--until we were home and I was unpacking and it was RIGHT THERE in the suitcase. Grrr.)

We had a wonderful Independence Day with extended family in Myrtle Beach. It was one of the few times that our (almost) whole family, on Daddy's side, was all together, since we come from all up and down the East Coast.

Clowning Around with Cousins--and Ice Cream!!

Five days of beach, pool, shopping, eating, beach, pool, sleeping, sand castle creating, beach, pool, dance parties, sunburns, and eating some more. We had a wonderful time!! The highlight for me was NOT going out to watch fireworks, and just enjoying the private show put on by all of the beach-goers who had their own and were shooting them off for hours right on the sand. We were able to celebrate without fighting the crowds and on our own terms. (Read: the babies in our group were able to go inside and completely ignore the noise, the big kids were able to "ooh" and "ahh" until they were bored and could then go inside and play games, and our sensory kiddo could watch the show from safely inside the sliding glass doors.) It all made for a relaxing and enjoyable night!

I hope you all had a wonderful long weekend! (And now my head is full of everything I haven't been writing about, so expect quite regular posts for the next week or so!) Happy (Belated) Independence Day!

Firefly Friday. The Sixth. A Peek into our Toolbox.

2011-06-24T20:59:00.010-04:00

I know, I know. I'm jumping all over the place with these Firefly Friday posts! These are the hardest ones for me to write,though, because the feelings in them are still so new and so raw, and so hard for me to process myself, sometimes.

I even question myself writing them, too. I wonder what Firefly would say if she knew I exposed her so openly to everyone. I wonder what she would think about me if she read some of the things I think and feel. I wonder what our friends and family think--not many of our friends have actually seen this part of our struggles. I wonder if the words "overexaggerating" and "it's not really all that bad" and "but she's such an angel when I see her" ever come to mind.

So today I thought I would NOT talk about hardships, strong emotions, and struggles. Ha. I wanted to go back to my original idea of being a resource and support to other struggling families (instead of just a weepy basket case, lol). Here, in no particular order, are the top ten tools we have in our "toolbox" to use in dealing with SPD (Part One--because it's late and I still have to make banana bread for a party tomorrow night and pack for a soccer tournament tomorrow morning and take a bath because I'm sweaty).

1. Gum. This is actually number one on purpose. We use it all the time. All the time. Not just one piece, mind you. At least two or three at a time. She chews it when she needs to be able to sit still and concentrate. She chews it when she is stressed out by something. She chews it when she has too much energy and can't find an outlet for it. She chews it when it's not acceptable to chew on her hands or her shirt. We buy in bulk. Every week.

2. Seamless Socks. Actually, Crocs should truly be first here, because that is Firefly's footwear of choice. Every day, in every setting. Snow on the ground? No problem. Going to the soccer field to watch a game and run around? Kicking the ball in Crocs is truly a gift. However, there are some places where Crocs won't work. A park with mulch. The bowling alley. In these situations, seamless socks have become our lifesaver. But they have to be TRULY seamless. Ours are. I order them online from SmartKnit Kids and Therawear. Yep, they're expensive. But then again, sometimes they are priceless.

3. Earplugs. This is a relatively new one for us. I don't think I ever really realized how much sounds affected Firefly. Then one day we went to lunch with a group of friends, and we ended up at a sports bar to watch college football. We walked in and Firefly noticeably jumped. We all sat down and she just kept getting more and more anxious, irritable, (yes, I'll admit, obnoxious), clingy and whiny. Finally, we asked her what was going on. (Novel idea). "It's SO loud in here". Simple answer. Why hadn't we thought of that? Daddy came to the rescue by running to the next door drugstore and picking up the plugs. Instant fix, and we actually got to watch some of the game! Now we don't go anywhere without them, just in case.

4. Surgical Brush. No, not for whatever evil thing you might be thinking! To follow her brushing protocol from her Occupational Therapist. I'm pretty sure the thinking behind it has to do with desensitizing the skin to touch. We are supposed to do it three times a day. Supposed to. We follow it up with joint compressions to help the body organize the input it receives from the brushing (there, I sounded technical, didn't I?) We could do better with this, which is one of my confessions. We do the best we can, right?

5. OT Cards. These, we love. There are a number of different activities printed on them, quick activities, and some that are longer. They each tackle a different sensation, such as: "push against a wall as hard as you can", "chew on something crunchy", "follow a flashlight shining on the wall", and "squeeze sponges". We used to use these at specific times every day, before we started schoolwork or chores. Now we use them when we need them. (I've become slightly more reactive than proactive lately--that's a fancy way of saying lazy). Just today I asked her to pick out one she thought she needed because I could tell she was "revving up". She decided to jump on the trampoline for fifteen minutes. GREAT choice.

These are a few of the things that we use on an everyday basis to help us through our day. What kinds of things are in your toolboxes?

Thankful on Thursday

2011-06-23T18:48:00.003-04:00

So my outlook is changing, it really is. This counting gifts thing is wonderful! Even in the midst of a really dark time earlier this week, I made myself find things to thank God for. It was easier than I expected. I guess that happens as thankfulness becomes a habit, huh?

62. swimming pools (I think I did this one already, but it's been over 100 degrees all week. This may make my list again and again and again).
63. air conditioning (ditto)
64. kids giggling together in hotel rooms in the morning
65. an opportunity to learn to give my worries over to God
66. afternoon thunderstorms when we have nowhere to go
67. a working van (did you see my post on all of the running around we have done?)
68. good reports from dad's neurologist
69. a Poppy who now lives close by
70. antibiotics (a story for another day)
71. a wonderful Father's Day spent honoring my Dad, my Dad-in-Law, and my husband; three of the best daddies I know
72. weekend spent with good friends and lots of soccer

Again, wishing you all lots to be thankful for this Thursday.

Turtle Tuesday--The Ninth. Fathers Day.

2011-06-21T20:27:00.004-04:00

Happy Fathers Day to all the dads!! What did you get your dad? I made a tie out of duct tape. Here are the instuctions:

1. Cut 2 pieces of duct tape 56 inches long.

2. Stick them together.

3. Cut the ends so they are pointy.

4. Design the tie however you want!!!

I made my tie 42 inches long so it was short.

Enjoy making your tie!!

Ever Had a Week Like This?

2011-06-21T19:58:00.005-04:00

I feel like this is the only view I've had this week!

We have had a crazy, busy week this week, and, truthfully, I've had a love / hate relationship with it. I've loved the activities (mostly) but hated the hurry, hurry, rush, rush, DRIVE parts.

I've loved watching my children blossom in their respective sporting events. I've hated the hurry, hurry, rush, rush parts of getting them there on time.

I've loved the special time we've gotten to spend with dear loved ones. I've hated the driving we've had to do to get back and forth to them.

I've loved having special time with only Bug, as his sisters were in camp. I've hated using half of that time to hurry, hurry, rush, rush him in order to DRIVE to pick them up from said camps.

I've hated the stress the hurry, hurry, rush, rush has put on our family and all of its interrelationships for the past ten days. I've loved the opportunity to grow closer to God as I've prayed for our hearts to grow back together.

I've hated the priorities we've set and the choices we were making. I've loved the chance to make new ones.

So far, so good this week. Maybe the craziness is what we all needed to recognize what we were doing to ourselves. Here's to simplifying and changing priorities--at least for today.

I'm a Featured Blogger!

2011-06-11T13:23:00.004-04:00

I'm so excited! I was chosen to be the featured blogger this week at this wonderful hop! What a wonderful group of ladies you will find. Thank you all for coming to visit and check us out! I hope you are all having a terrific weekend.

Firefly Friday. The Fifth. A New Thing to Think About.

2011-06-10T15:05:00.005-04:00

It's really funny, you know, these Firefly Friday posts. I'll admit--they take me about a week to recover from writing. They seem to stir up all kinds of feelings and thoughts that I thought I had worked through years ago and make them all fresh again. Then I take the next week to work on getting words down for the next post.

Then, something happens that makes me scrap that post altogether.

Yesterday, we had an appointment with the psychologist. Firefly goes to her about once or twice a month, to work on learning coping skills and techniques, and also to do a social skills group.

Yesterday I went alone. I needed to be re-encouraged. I needed to be told that all of the things we were doing were making a difference, that the time and money we were investing were worth it.

You see, it's been a "sobbing in the closet" kind of week over here. Make that two weeks, maybe even three. I'm not sure what's going on, but we are off, off, off. So I was ready to call an end to all therapy, doctor visits, medications, etc. To give up, really, I think.

And this is how I started the visit. Asking the doctor where we were supposed to be going from here. I think I even made the comment that we had been doing all of these interventions for six years now, and that it should be getting "better". I think I might even have asked when she would be "fixed". (Shame on me. I told you it's been a really rough week. OK, month).

And then there it was. I don't know if maybe I had heard it before, but didn't really HEAR it, or if maybe it was finally time for me to actually be told. Either way, I did hear it this time. "Fixed is probably not a reality for her. She is always going to need some interventions, even into adulthood."

Wow.
Really?
How is that possible?

I even told her then (nothing like a smack of denial to get me through) that I've worked in my "before" life with sensory processing kiddos, with autistic kiddos, and that THEY GET BETTER. How is it possible that the life we are living now is NOT a temporary one? That these battles are not a part of a journey, but maybe the journey's end?

Then there was more. "She does have SPD, but it is one of the most severe cases I have ever seen. There has also got to be a biological / chemical component that explains the other pieces."

Wow.
Really?
How is that possible?

So I've been chewing on that for the past 24 hours, turning it over and over in my brain and saying my prayers. I really thought that there would be an end point. I thought my daughter would one day be magically "fixed", I really did. I even knew better, and I thought it anyway. I'm not sure I can think of the next years being filled the way these have been and staying sane.

But after the pity party I throw for myself, Firefly is next on my list. Because as much as some of our days are struggles for me, I can escape. I can hand the reins over to my husband when he gets home and take a bath (yes, let's be honest, I do often take a glass of wine in there with me. ; ) I can go to a brainless, funny movie with friends, I can vent on the phone.

Firefly lives that way. She can't escape. She is only eight years old and is trapped in her little body with all of those feelings, sensations, adrenaline, chemicals that she can't get away from. She is in overload all the time. No wonder we get what we get with her so often.

OK, so now the tears are starting again, this time for my daughter. So off I go to say more prayers, to a God who understands and cares, to comfort and protect her, and to help me through this new thing to think about.

Please Help the SPD Foundation!

2011-06-09T20:43:00.003-04:00

Those of you who have been following us for a while, or who know us personally, know that Sensory Processing Disorder reigns front and center in our lives. It is something that deeply affects us, each and every day.

The SPD Foundation is in the running for a chance to win a $250,000 grand prize, or one of five $100,000 prizes, for getting the most votes / nominations. If they are in the top five, they will get at least $100,000. They could do so much with that!

They are in desperate need of financing, and winning this would mean so much to children and families struggling with Sensory Processing Disorder all around the world.

They are pretty far behind right now, and need help getting to the top.

This disorder has touched more lives than you know. It will only take seconds of your time to endorse their cause and post it to your Facebook wall.

All you have to do is go to this site. Go to the bottom of the page on the left hand side and click "endorse". It's that easy!

It is so simple! Please help the SPD Foundation. They are working so hard to get Sensory Processing Disorder in the books, and this would make a grand difference in their efforts!

Thank you all in advance for helping them get to the top, and remember, you can vote every day. Thank you for making a difference!

Thankful on Thursday

2011-06-09T20:35:00.003-04:00

It's been a really rough week this week. I'm so excited to sit down and write this post to get my mind right again!

42. my four year-old's belly laugh
43. my eight year-old's blue blue eyes
44. my eleven year-old's laughter with her friends in the back seat that I get to listen to while I drive
45. flip-flop tans
46. swimming pools
47. my husband's hand automatically reaching for mine
48. afternoon naps
49. giggles
50. dinner made at lunchtime
51. soccer evenings when there is still a slight breeze and it is almost cool outside
52. quick phone conversations with good friends
53. fresh blueberries (yes, we did fit it in this week!)

I love counting my gifts! It puts me in such a good mood. I hope you all are blessed this Thursday.

Turtle Tuesday--The Eighth. More Duct Tape Fun.

2011-06-06T22:11:00.004-04:00

Hi! If you really liked the first Tuesday I did, which was the duct tape bracelets, you will like this one. The Duck brand of duct tape has its own website. Click here. You can also look here.

I hope you like the websites!

Here are some of my new creations:

Flip-Flops

Handbag

Trying out the Homeschool Mother's Journal . . .

2011-06-02T21:53:00.007-04:00

So I thought since we were "officially" on summer break (I know I keep mentioning that, but it's really exciting over here!), that I would try something different this week. I am linking up today to this neat blog to write about our week.

In my life this week . . .I can't figure out how I am STILL so busy! This is supposed to be my down time, but I have used it planning, cleaning, laundering, taxiing, and on and on and on. It probably doesn't help that we have closed on a loan to build a new house and found a rental place for Poppy who is moving south later this month. Hmmm. I guess I have just figured out how I am still so busy!

In our homeschool this week . . .did I mention we are on break? ; ) And yet there has been some interesting learning going on. My oldest has expanded her duct tape repetoires to now include purses, flip flops, and luggage tags. My middle daughter is continuing along in math a few pages at a time (as we await test results *gulp* ), and Bug is finishing up the end of his preschool year with two days of parties at school!

Places we're going and people we're seeing . . .aside from the family spectacular that we hosted this past weekend, we've had some extra playdates. Soccer tryouts have been this week for Turtle, and we have a soccer tournament this weekend for Firefly. I'm still trying to find time to go out and pick blueberries, a favorite activity for this time of year, but I'm not sure we're going to make it.

My favorite thing about this week . . .a desperately needed and well-deserved date night with my hubby last night. Those have been few and far between lately, and it was very much enjoyed!

Homeschooling questions / thoughts I have . . .I'm just trying to get organized for next school year. How can I make it easier? How much planning is worth it? Will all of this organizing really help me when we start again?

A photo, video, link, or quote to share . . .our hydrangeas are blooming, right outside our schoolroom windows. Gorgeous.

Thankful on Thursday

2011-06-02T09:32:00.008-04:00

So, I admit. It's been a while! We have had the most amazing, super-busy, chaotic weekend that I am still recovering from! I have FINALLY washed my last blanket from the onslaught of company that we had. At last count, I think it was 17 family members sleeping in my house. Wow.

But it got me thinking. And my thinking tied in nicely with my only-halfway-through reading of Ann Voskamp's One Thousand Gifts. So, in the spirit of naming gifts, and in an effort to change my naturally-complaining ways, here is my gift list. (As you can see, I'm new at the list. I'm only in the 30's so far.)

26. beautiful white dresses on little girls receiving sacraments

27. family members all together
28. enough towels and air mattresses for everyone who needs one
29. being able to pay for two grocery carts of food
30. working washing machines

31. both sides of the family and assorted friends playing all together

32. little boys in new suits
33. niece's giggles
34. chocolate raspberry cheesecake
35. date night (yes, I know this one and the last seem out of place in this list, but, trust me. They go together.)
36. safe travels for family members far away
37. the golf cart forcing all children to get along with each other
38. getting to make more memories with our family that we don't see often enough

39. Granddaddies and granddaughters

OK. I enjoyed that. What a great way to remember the highlights of the weekend and the many blessings that I have been given. I am sold on Thankful on Thursday.
I hope you all are having a blessed week, too.

Firefly Friday. The Fourth. The Journey, Continued. Who is this Child?

2011-05-26T20:27:00.007-04:00

OK. I think I've recovered enough from re-living the last post to try again! So here we were, with this adorable, smart, verbal kiddo who we were running back and forth to medical specialists for the first two years of her life. Crazy. I learned more than I EVER had the desire to know about head circumference, intestines, and adenoids!

The doctors couldn't quite figure her out. The thing is, neither could we, and for a much different reason. Firefly was having these tantrums, you see. Violent, frequent, long-lasting tantrums. Every day. Several times a day.

These were not "terrible twos" temper tantrums. They were screeching, falling on the floor, head-banging, door pounding, hitting and kicking tantrums. They would go on for easily over an hour (yes, at two and three years old--this kid has got AMAZING stamina!)

Sometimes they were provoked. Maybe we told her "no" to something she wanted. What nerve we had! Maybe her socks were uncomfortable. Maybe she didn't push the chair under the table EXACTLY the way she thought it should be.

Sometimes they came up seemingly out of the blue. You never knew what was going to set her off, or where it was going to happen.

I have vivid memories of physically restraining her at a park, and even more vivid memories of how my friends reacted to that. I can't remember why we had gotten to that point, but I do remember the screaming and head-butting that accompanied it.

I remember carrying her into day care (more than once), with her under one arm and her socks and shoes in the other; handing her off to her teacher with the comment, "here, YOU try to get these on her."

I remember the kindergartener Firefly screaming bloody murder into a uniformed policeman's face (yes, with gun) when he had the nerve to check to see if she was OK. (Never found out what he had been doing in my neighbor's backyard, though!)

I remember pulling over to the side of the road and actually putting her out of the car because her screaming was so piercing, so loud. The last time I had to do that, she took off, INTO the road. Now we just listen to the screaming.

You know the best part? Most of this behavior is saved for us (read, me). Since about age four or five, she has managed to control it around other people, for the most part. (Remember our disastrous trip to WalMart? Yeah, we've had others like that here and there). Nothing can make you feel like a horrible parent more than this five year-old that you can't control, can't get dressed in the morning, can't make it through the day with, who is an angel at Pre K all day.

I have to admit, the day she finally lost it with the nurse at her day care I was a little smug about it. Finally, someone else lost control of her. Maybe it's not just us!

I've heard all of the "professional" excuses, I mean, explanations, about her feeling safe enough with us to act out. I've heard that she is so quiet in other situations because her anxiety is so high that she is just trying to get through until she is home. I've heard it all.

I've also sobbed in my closet, sure my child hates me.

I've sobbed in my bathroom, sure that I don't like my child, and worried about what kind of person that makes me.

It is a journey. We are several years out from the worst of this now. I think it's probably been about six months since my last sobbing episode! It does help that I can understand what is going on with her (for the most part). We have a strong team of experienced therapists offering suggestions for us.

Most of all, I've worked on my journey with God. I'm starting to understand that He doesn't make mistakes, and what that means for my relationship with my daughter. I know that she and I are in the same family for a reason, and that I have a lot to learn about living my life in a different way. I know, deep in my heart, that we are where we are supposed to be right now.

That doesn't mean I remember it every day. Next time I'll give you a picture of what our days look like, as we incorporate all of our learned techniques and lessons into daily life, and what that means for how smoothly (or not) our days actually go. Once again, thanks for listening.

Wordless Wednesday--Soccer Season One Finished!

2011-05-25T15:12:00.004-04:00

And just in time, too! We have officially worn through this set of cleats on the third child!

"Look, Mom! No cleats!"

And, of course, the trophy!

So, yes, I know it's not exactly wordless, but I couldn't pass up the opportunity to show off the pictures!

Turtle Tuesday-- The Seventh. Tryouts.

2011-05-24T19:34:00.005-04:00

Hi! I didn't get any new comments, so I decided to do this Tuesday on soccer tryouts.

Just in case you are new, I really enjoy soccer. It is incredibly fun for me. It is my favorite sport.

Next week I am going to have to tryout for a new soccer team. Wish me luck!

I am not going to be here next week because of the summer. I am going to be here every other Tuesday. But you can still give me ideas! <3

Testing, Testing, 1, 2, 3

2011-05-19T09:37:00.004-04:00

Yep, we did it. We have officially finished our testing for this year. Second grade and fifth grade are over.

This is the first year we have tested. Not so unusual, figuring it is only our second year homeschooling (and Firefly's first).

I'm not sure I'm going to do it again.

In our state, you have the option of using an umbrella school, standardized testing, or doing a portfolio. This year my intention was doing a portfolio of our year. As a matter of fact, I am still working on the portfolios / scrapbooks / reading lists. But for some reason, I got an itch to test as well.

As a second-year homeschooler, I am much, much, much more confident than I was when we started on this journey. I am calmer (well, a little). We have our stuff together more (theoretically).

So why did I feel that pull? Why did I feel like I needed to "make sure"? What if? Do I have something to prove? And to who?

So we tested. And as much as I tried to make it "fun", a "you can show what you know" moment, we still ended up with two stressed-out little girls, a worn out Mommy, and a four year-old who missed us since he was in the nursery all day.

I'm pretty sure I knew better.

And now I'm asking myself question after question after question. Who was this for? Was it so that the girls could have practice with testing? Was it so I could "show off"? Was it to punish myself when I see Firefly's math scores come in? I'm not sure why we really did it. I think I need to have some quiet time alone and with God to really look at the reasons.

Will we do it again? I think I may have a better answer in four to six weeks. (Nothing like waiting for the results first ; )

What about you? What are your reasons for testing or for not testing? I'd love to hear your input as I wrestle with the decision that we made.

Turtle Tuesday-- The Sixth. Homeschooling.

2011-05-17T20:13:00.002-04:00

I would just like to say thank you to Tiffany! She commented and told me that I should write about what I like about being homeschooled.

I like being at home all the time. Sometimes we do school in our pajamas!

I like the curriculum that we use, because it is better than everything else that we learned about when I was in school. You do more activities. By the way, I was in public school until third grade.

I like having a lot of free time.

I like finishing the school year before everyone else who is in school. I'm so excited that tomorrow's summer for us! We finished our last day of testing today!

Thank you Tiffany! Please remember to give me ideas!

Firefly Friday--The Third. The Journey's Beginning.

2011-05-13T14:29:00.009-04:00

Sometimes I am asked when I realized something was going on with Firefly. How did I know? When did I know? What was "different"? I don't really have an answer to that. I think that in my gut I might have known earlier than I admitted it to myself. I have flashbacks to things that we did that tell me I MUST have known. Why else would I be in a counselor's office with my then two-year old? What about the time I ran her into my friend's office (who happened to be a pediatric physical therapist) when she was thirteen months? Didn't I get frustrated with her pediatrician when Firefly was having a horrible, falling-down tantrum in her office at twenty-one months? The pediatrician looked at her and laughed. "Wow! She has a set of lungs on her, doesn't she?" Yeah. That was helpful. Just what I was looking for. And how about the time(s) when she would run smack into a wall or door, and then just giggle and get back up? We joked about her pain tolerance.

So now, looking back, I guess there was something niggling the back of my mind for some time. I SHOULD have known. In my other life, I was a developmental specialist. I worked specifically with kids birth to three with diagnoses such as Autism, Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy. I definitely worked with my share of sensory kiddos, and could recognize them and help their parents with some coping strategies. Ha. I think that was God playing a joke on me.

Firefly was born full-term. She was tiny, but completely healthy. She had a bit of trouble nursing early on, and we had to go through a couple of weight checks, but all turned out fine. She was always a great eater. We joked that she could out-eat any adult we came across. She could down three hot dogs and all related accessories in a single sitting at fourteen months. And yet, she only weighed nineteen pounds at a year. (Hmm, was the over-eating a sign? Second-guessing, always).

She was very quick on her gross motor skills, sitting at 4 months, crawling at 5 and a half, followed immediately by pulling to stand and then standing alone at 9 months. She was always on the go, and always up on her toes. (Another sign, right? This one prompted the earlier mentioned trip to the PT, who told me, "It's probably sensory". Nope. Not MY kid.)

She talked early, too. By 18 months she was speaking in sentences. Her articulation was poor, which led to speech therapy. (But for articulation, not for language. No red flag here. Ha again).

Medically, though, the kid was a mess. She is always "the exception to the rule". She always had a cough, a bad one, one that she choked herself on. At two months she had her first bout with RSV, and ended up with an asthma diagnosis. Her many ear infections led to three sets of ear tubes, the first at 8 months, one lost set of tonsils, and two rounds of taking adenoids out. (Did you know they could grow back? Nope, me either. Apparently, there is a "small percentage" of kids where that happens. Yep. That's my kid.)

At 5 months, the pediatrician noticed that her soft spots had closed. Off we went for an X-Ray, CT scan, and appointments with a craniofacial doctor and a pediatric neurosurgeon. (Was it the X-ray of her head that tipped the scales? Did we do this? More second guessing.)

Nothing is scarier than sitting with your sweet six month old on your lap listening to how the doctor will cut her from ear to ear and "peel the scalp back" and then--what? I don't know, couldn't tell you. Completely zoned out at that point. Did you know that in a "small percentage of kids" they actually don't need surgery to correct the skull defect? It would have been nice to know at that point that we had a child who would be the "small percentage". Thankfully, we could wait and see. She did not have to have surgery. There did not seem to be any undue pressure on her brain as she grew. (Or was there? Is THAT what led to where we are now? Hmm . . .)

Her 12 month check brought concerns with her growth. At 13 months we were having a sleep-deprived EEG to rule out seizures. Her 15 month check brought a referral to a pediatric endocrinologist. They ran a test that would definitely tell us if she was in early puberty. Guess what? After several hours in the hospital, she was in the "very small percentage" of kids who don't show definite results on this test. Really. There's a surprise.

Allergy testing, gastro testing, genetics testing. I'm pretty sure we have run the gamut of specialists. None of the physical tests could give us any answers to this child we have. She was a mystery to us physically, and her behavior was throwing us for a loop emotionally.

That's all I can do today. Next time I'll touch on what we were living with at home. This stuff is harder to re-live than I thought it would be.

To be continued . . .

Turtle Tuesday--The Fifth. Ideas.

2011-05-10T22:20:00.003-04:00

Wow! This is really growing. People from all around the world are looking at this blog! Anyway, this is the fifth Tuesday for Turtle Tuesdays!
I am running out of ideas, so if you have any, just comment to tell me.
One of the subjects that I am doing in school is Astronomy. I think it is really fun. I am learning about Jupiter right now.
Comment to give me ideas!

Please Vote for Turtle

2011-05-08T17:22:00.006-04:00

I got an unexpected Mother's Day present today! Turtle entered an art contest at the end of March, and as I was browsing the website looking at the entries, I noticed that she is a finalist!!! This is a pretty big deal, as the prizes are Educational Savings Accounts up to $750! There are First, Second and Grand Prize winners in each grade bracket, as well as a People's Choice Winner. The People's Choice winner comes from votes that anyone can cast.
So, now here's my plug. I would love for you to look at her artwork and vote if you feel so moved to (there, how's that?) Her picture is "A Box and A Ball", and it is pastels on sandpaper. You can find it and vote here.

The winners are announced on May 15th. I'll keep you posted, and thanks for your help!

Yay, Turtle!

Weekly Wrap Up, The Fourth. Celebrations.

2011-05-06T11:52:00.011-04:00

Let me preface this week's weekly wrap-up by saying, "Yes, we did do school this week." Turtle has continued moving along on her fractions, literature, Latin, spelling, and astronomy. Firefly has now finished all of her reading assignments, has about a week's worth of math left, has finished up her science, and watched the end of her Muzzy French videos yesterday. Even Bug spent the beginning of the week engrossed in his Batman preschool pack we found here. History brought the beginnings of Christianity in Russia and fun stories about Marco Polo, and we learned about Joseph and his brothers in Bible. We're also almost finished with Ink on His Fingers, about Johann Gutenberg.

But, we're starting to play a little more. This week we traveled to a Shrimp Festival to help celebrate a friend's birthday. There was a marine science exhibit there, so we explored that a little bit before getting a really yummy dinner.

Bug, not impressed. But then we found the Kazoo Man. Much more impressive, apparently.

On Wednesday we played hooky and went bowling. A friend and I signed our kids up for kids bowl free, found here. Great great great deal! We had a wonderful time and I think we may have hit on something for those REALLY hot days we have coming up soon.

Finally, today Bug's class in preschool had their Mother's Day Brunch. Soooo sweet! The boys sang "You Are My Sunshine" and brought flowers to their mommies! Along with the obligatory cute handmade gifts, was this:

I'm feeling pretty good about the "21 years old" and the "always says I love you". I don't really know what to think about the "my mom is the prettiest when she does her hair."

That's about it for our week, and it definitely ended on a high note! Happy Mom's Day to all my fellow mommies out there, and enjoy your weekend!

I am linked up today with Kris, at weird, unsocialized homeschoolers. You can find her here.

Confessions and Ramblings . . .

2011-05-06T11:23:00.005-04:00

This "homeschooling thing" is a real journey. I am learning new things about myself every week, every day, every hour even. Not all of them are pleasant. A few of them are wonderful.

What I have discovered about myself this week is that I am officially a nerd.

Let me explain.

I have spent hours over the past few months wandering around homeschool convention halls, thumbing through books, watching videos, listening to spiels. I have devoured curriculum catalogs from many different companies. I go online to see what everyone else is using and to hear about how they are using it. It has almost become a full-time job (obsession), really.

But then I did it. I committed. I made the decision and made the order.

Amazon is emailing me several times a day with the notice that my order has been processed, or shipped, or backordered, or looked at. I am running out to check the mail several times a day like I did when I had a birthday as a kid. The UPS man looks better and better to me every day.

It's starting to come in now. Each package makes me smile inside. I rip it open right away and go through everything in it. I think I may be going a little bit nuts.

What is it about new curriculum? I'm pretty sure I felt this way last year about this time. "I can't wait! We're going to have so much fun! This book / video / computer game / etc is so wonderful!" And it was and it wasn't. We started, tweaked, started again, discarded, changed, and in the end had a good year and learned a lot, but not the way I had intended us to go.

But NEXT year, boy, I can't wait! We're going to have so much fun! This curriculum is so wonderful! My name is Nicole and I am a curriculum junkie. Anyone else out there?

Oops, gotta go. I hear the UPS truck . . .

Schooling in the Sun

Thankful on Thursday. Vacation Edition.

Wordless Wednesday. Legoland!

Happy Presidents Day--or Why We Did School When all the Neighborhood Kids Were Off

I'm Up for an Award!

Wordless Wednesday. Why I Haven't Been Posting...

Weekly Wrap Up. And Then Some.

Wordless Wednesday (Well, almost wordless). Ouch!

What's in the Box Wednesday--Sixth Grade

Weekly Wrap-Up. One Busy, Busy Week.

More Heart of Dakota Praises!

Wordless Wednesday. Building.

Ahhh, Math.

Firefly Friday. December. *Sigh*

Thankful on Thursday.

Wordless Wednesday--Happy Birthday Firefly!!

Why We Love Classical Conversations Essentials (and How I Know That's Not a Complete Sentence)

I'm Back...!

My blog :)

The Homeschool Mother's Journal. Starting a New Season.

Wordless Wednesday. My Life These Days ...

Turtle Tuesday-- My Blog

Scavenger Hunting

Wordless Wednesday. And So It Begins . . .

Thanksgiving Blessing Counting

The Homeschool Mother's Journal. More Fall Fun!

Thankful on Thursday. Legos.

Turtle Tuesday-- Golden Opportunity

miscellany monday

Wordless Wednesday. The Promise.

Happy Halloween! Homeschool Style.

Weekly Wrap Up. Friday Already.

Wordless Wednesday. Happy Birthday Bug!

Thank You, Thank You, Thank You!

Weekly (OK, Monthly) Wrap-Up. A Busy Fall So Far . . .

Thankful on Thursday

What's in the Box Wednesday. Third Grade.

Thankful on Thursday.

Firefly Friday. What SPD Means to Us.

Wordless Wednesday. The Blob.

The Homeschool Mother's Journal.

Workboxing on Wednesday. Third Grade.

miscellany monday

Weekly Wrap-Up. Week of Bugs, and bugs.

Wordless Wednesday. What a Difference a Month Makes.

miscellany monday

The Official Workbox Post

A Day in the Life . . .

Firefly Friday. Fifteen Minutes.

Wordless Wednesday. Or Why You Shouldn't Let Your Four Year Old Play on Your Cell Phone to Make Him Be Quiet at Doctor's Appointments.

"Not Back to School" School Pictures!

Firefly Friday. The Great Summer Camp Experiment.

Weekly Wrap-Up. Our First Week!

Thankful on Thursday

Wordless Wednesday. The Zoo.

Turtle Tuesday. Soccer Nationals.

Drum Roll, Please . . .Our Schoolroom!!

Homeschool Mother's Journal

Thankful on Thursday

Beginning to Settle In

And We're Off!

miscellany monday

Thankful on Thursday

Puzzles, continued.

Wordless Wednesday. Puzzles.

Firefly Friday. The Seventh. Still Searching.

Thankful on Thursday. The Gift.

Trying Something New

To Preschool or Not To Preschool . . .

So, It's Been Awhile . . .

Firefly Friday. The Sixth. A Peek into our Toolbox.

Thankful on Thursday

Turtle Tuesday--The Ninth. Fathers Day.

Ever Had a Week Like This?

I'm a Featured Blogger!

Firefly Friday. The Fifth. A New Thing to Think About.

Please Help the SPD Foundation!

Thankful on Thursday

Turtle Tuesday--The Eighth. More Duct Tape Fun.

Trying out the Homeschool Mother's Journal . . .

Firefly Friday. December. Sigh