Madeline's School Room

During the Summer I worked on setting up a school room for Madeline.  We moved the computer into the living room, something I didn't ever want to happen.  The computer/office was in our garage addition and we have now turned that into Madeline's school room.  It is nice to have a spot dedicated for school, where we can get messy and not have to worry about cleaning everything up so we can use the kitchen table.  It is also nice to have everything out and accessible and I made sure that everything Madeline needed was at her height.  I was able to find the perfect desk that is the perfect height for Madeline.  I used the desk as my jumping off point.  I learned Madeline is a very visual learner and it is nice to be able to have the tools that she needs to make learning come a live.  She has been having a ball in her classroom and she is excited to start school each day. 

Also I spent the summer studying the different curriculum's and with lots of prayer was able to pick several that will work with Madeline's learning style.  I also spent time preparing lesson plans and visuals and putting together fun activities to help bring learning to life for Madeline.  Homeschooling is not easy and sometimes I want to quit, but to see how dramatically Madeline has improve (especially her health) I know we are doing what she needs.  I also know that I can't do anything, my strength is no good; but by relying on him for the strength I know I will be successful and will be able to meet my other responsibilities; but man there are some days that sure feel like a marathon.

A New School Year

Anthony is now starting the world of Middle School and I did all I could during the first week of school to stay home and not run up and pull him out of school.  He caught on real fast to the whole schedule and changing classes and so far he is embracing everything pretty good.  Spencer is our only one at the Elementary School.  Spencer is so excited to be first grader and loves to show his independence.  For Spencer it is pretty cool to go down the first grade hall, almost a right of passage.  I know Heavenly Father really looks out for our kids and once again Spencer has been blessed with a perfect teacher.  Spencer didn't get who Anthony nor Madeline had, but the teacher he did get is perfect for him.  All of the concerns I had are washed away, Spencer is going to do awesome this year.  It is hard to believe I have a Middle Schooler and I pray constantly that Middle School treats Anthony well.  There are a lot of expenses that come with Middle School and that has been a eye opener and what was shocking the most to me was they don't have text books.  They have one set of textbooks and those stay in the classroom, everything else is done with technology.  This is a good thing because Anthony is not allowed to carry his backpack during school.  His backpack remains in his locker until school is out for the day.  A lot has changed since I was in school and I am not that old.  Anthony has a good head on his shoulders, I know he will do great and he will be a blessing to his teachers and those students around him.  Anthony is good about not hiding his light, and we all know how much light the world could use.

As tradition for the first day of school, the kids get their rooms decorated.  Since Madeline is homeschooled she gets to participate in this fun.  She starts school a week after the boys do.  She gets her room decorated too, but it takes a little more work to be sneaky and all.  I also make a treat for the first day of school and I know the kids get excited about that as well.  I would like to provide treats more often, but when you home school and have a house to keep up with sometimes I do good just be standing by the end of the day.  This year we were lucky to have Daddy around during the week.  The union at Bell Helicopter has been working without a contract since June.  They have not striked, but they refuse to work overtime.  Since middle of  July Grant has been summoned to build parts.  So for a few months now Grant has been working as a machine operator instead of an engineer.  Hopefully this will all end soon.  Because Daddy was home he was able to participate in the room decorating and he even decorated Madeline's room while I taught her school. 

So here is to a great school year, I know we will learn a lot.  A side note:  I was ready for school to be done on the first day of school.  People think that is funny and I get all kinds of weird comments, but the fact is I enjoy having my children around.  I enjoy the slower pace life style the summer brings and I enjoy being able to spend so much time together.  If it was the right thing I would home school the boys, but I know they are where they are suppose to be.  I know the school year will fly by and then I can have my kids back for a time. 

Bake to School Feast

Prior to our Back to School Feast I got blank white shirts for Anthony, Madeline and Spencer.  I also bought some fabric safe makers and sat down to have some fun creating our Summer memory t-shits.  Before I let them lose on their shirts we talked about all the fun memories we were able to enjoy and the times we were able to spend together.  I enjoyed listening to what they each remembered doing.  They even remembered stuff that I had forgotten about.  I also noticed that they remember the little things and not necessarily the grandiose stuff.  After our discussion I let them use their markers to draw and or write whatever they remembered from their summer.  This activity was a nice way to end our Summer and to begin a new school year.  The kids enjoyed it a lot, I think we might have found another tradition.

For our annual Back to School Feast I chose the theme "Let Your Light Shine."  I felt this was good for the kids to always be reminded of the power of a good example.  I decided to decorate with lighthouses.  We talked about what a lighthouse is and the benefits they have on sailors.  We equated that to the gospel by talking about how we can be the lighthouses to others and help them navigate safely their way back home to our Heavenly Father.  As always we had our special dinner and the kids were able to wear their 2013-2014 school crowns.  I was sure Anthony wouldn't want to wear the crown, but he did.  I told him that I would understand if he didn't want to, but he said he knew it was important to me so he would wear the crown; but after pictures the crown was in the trash.  I was okay with that.  After dinner was when I introduced the theme and had our FHE lesson on being a good example.  After our FHE lesson we went right into Father's blessings.  The spirit is always so thick during moments like these.  I can't help but sit back and feel like I did something right as a mother.  I might not always get it right, but I know Heavenly Father helps me to see clearly the moments that I do.  I know He does this so I don't beat myself up too much.  I gave each of the kids a lighthouse charm for them to put on their backpacks and a plaque that I made with the scripture Arise and Shine Forth as way to help them remember to always let your light shine.  The kids always look forward to this little tradition of ours.  Usually the week prior I spend sometime getting ready and when the kids see my preparation they know the count down begins and they get all excited.  I hope their excitement never dies and that they are always excited about learning.  As a side note:  To help us implement our theme we discuss at the end of the day what we did to let our light shine.  By knowing this discussion is coming, it helps you look for ways to let your light shine and to be a good example.  I know this will not only help them at school, but this will be good at home as well.