First Day of School

As a home school family we enjoy flexibility that those in traditional school systems don't and we LOVE it:)  We tend to school year round to some degree or another but this year took most of the summer off other than keeping up on reading skills.  Since we were in Rochester, MN last week for Gracie to be seen at Mayo Clinic, we didn't start back to our new school year until this week.  Monday was our first day and it was much anticipated around here.  I've changed up our normal lesson schedule a bit and so far it's working out pretty well:)  This is also a year with some transitions... Tess is no longer home schooling; she's enrolled at SCC to get her GED this quarter, then she wants to begin classes in criminal justice.  Her desire is to train law enforcement dogs.  Living with Max and helping with his training has really sparked this interest and desire in her:)  Sarah is now officially middle school age, so the expectations and lessons have stepped up as well.  I've always believed in more of an unschooling philosophy for our kids while they are younger and don't typically do much formal "schooling" until they are showing signs that they are ready for more.  It's always worked really well for us; please don't mistake "unschooling" for "no schooling":)  Well, this year we've transitioned the two little girls into formal lessons.  I knew Gracie would fly with it but wasn't so certain about Hannah, but my desire to have them on the same level for the most part out weighed my concerns about whether or not Hannah was ready.  I figured if it proves to be too much for her, I can always pull back.  Well, so far, so good:)  Gracie is very much my left brained child and learning in a traditional style comes very easy to her.  Hannah is VERY right brained, so I tweak the way I teach her, but she is doing great and has proven to me that her unschooling foundation was effective.  For those of you who know Hannah, you're smiling right now:)  They are different levels for math, spelling and reading, but for all our other subjects, teaching them together is going great!

Max, of course is part of our school days as well.  He is with us, under or next to our work table, and is doing really well.  He knows he's working and stays there without any fussing or correction needed for the most part and the only time we know he's around (other than when we have no place to put our feet:) is when he's alerting to Gracie's changing blood sugar.

Home schooling isn't just an academic choice for our family, it really is a lifestyle that allows us to fully live out our deeply held convictions that God has called us to raise our children for His Kingdom, and that includes their education as well.  I love teaching my daughters and getting to watch them grow and learn everyday.  Even on those days that they are struggling to grasp a concept and there may be melt downs and tears, I get to help them through it, understand it and celebrate with them when they finally succeed at "getting it".  I wouldn't trade these times for anything:)