Our First Field Trip

We had our first field trip of the year last week. We went to the LDS History Museum. It was so fun. First we had a picnic on temple grounds. Doug was so sad that he couldn't meet us for lunch - esspecially because he works just across the street from Temple Square.


We let Zach play hookie from school so he could come w/ us. He loved being with us instead of school...


After seeing how the pioneer's lived in their very little log cabins - the kids were very grateful for living in today's time!


Zach gave a very inspirational devotional.


Some of the kids put on a play for me. I loved being the audience.





Jessica was the narater - and Jacob was a little lamb. He really got into his part.



Mary was the angel and Elisabeth was Mary.













There was lots to see, lots to do, and not enough time. We'll definately come back for another trip to this place for some more fun and learning about our church's heritage.

I love the mothering skills in the Animal Kingdom.

Mothers are always there beside there children.

Always loving. Always protecting. Always teaching. Always nurturing. Always watching.

The mothers are never too far away. They are always aware and are always looking out for the protection and safety of their young.

Knowing that the predators are watching. And waiting. And ready for the moment when their children are alone in the world.

Animal mothers know that they can't send their young out in the world until they are fully prepared and ready to account for thier livelihood.
They won't send them out until they know their young are able defend themselves against the dangers that will be theirs.

Does this mean the animal young are immature and not socialized and weird?

NO! It means that when they do go out to start their lives on their own.... they are fully ready in every way. And they will repeat the same skills to their young someday.... the same way they were taught. Creating a perfect order of things.

They have the confidence to be what they were destined to be.

I have a little boy who LOVES pensils. Where once I had about 25 -25 became 2. I don't know where they got to... and I don't know where to look other than the all the places I normally look. Well - personally I loved having an excuse to make more pensils! As long as I don't see the markings on the wall, or the furniture I'm Ok with missing pensils.
Well, so I found yet another cute pot holder I'm using for my new batch of pensils. Pot - filled with rice. And pensils with fall colored flowers! I love it. I love having pensil holder options. And I love ... I love..... I love me! Hut - Susan - that's for you!

I found the cutest thing ever the other day. I found this adorable plant holder... but I'm using it as a pencil holder. It's our center piece at the kitchen table during school hours. It dec's the table out and makes writing fun! I know it's corny, but cute things like this make things like school so much more exciting for me.



It's been a week now since we've started school. I was gonna start on July 13th, but summer was beginning to be too chaotic for me and all my kids... so I wanted to start school early to get a little structure and order back. It's just part time school - about 3 hours a day. Journal time, Piano practice, Math drills, english and reading, Pre-school when the twins aren't napping, and even a little one-on-one special ed for Zach. The kids love ... LOVE it! They love the order, the activities, the work, the writing....
It's been a very nice way for me to just do a couple hours a day to ease into major all-day schooling when it starts in September.

I think I'm gonna LOVE doing school at home!

Well... It's done. I did it. It's official now. My girls have one week of school left and then it's summer for 6 weeks. And then our adventure with Home school will begin on July 13th. I've decided to do a year-round schedule because I'm just too excited to start. I don't think I can wait three whole months to begin.
So, I've been busy collecting school material, curriculum, books, etc. It's been so thrilling for me because I get to pic and choose all the material! I've moved a book shelf in our family room to organize all our school stuff. It's just so dang exciting! I'll be spending the next month organizing weekly work packets in each subject... English, Math, History, Science, etc. I want to get all the scheduling organized and planned out for the year. It's a lot of work, but It'll be worth it when it's time to sit down and actually do the teaching and structure when school begins.
Anyway - I never thought I would start home school this early. I always new that I wanted to do the middle-school ages. But since I've come to the decision of starting now I've felt so good and so excited about life. It's given me a spark back in my life that I've been missing. And all I can say is that I'm love'n my life and where it's headed.

Today is the day! I've got the affidavit filled out, signed, and notarized. I'm so excited to go to school and officially and legally sign my kids OUT. I'm a little nervous too. Am I sure I want to do this? Am I ready? Can I really do it? I'm feeling a little hesitant and scared about this HUGE change in my life...

But I am ready. And although nervous to take this next step, I know I can do it. And I'm looking forward to all the work and fun and learning we'll be doing at home school. I'm starting a new life today. A life more fulfilled. And I'm ready.