. . . . I already am crazy to even consider . . . .

This blog may soon go one of two ways. It may totally take-off, as in I actually start writing again. This would be born out of necessity as I strive and think through things and try to keep somewhat of a record to be referred back to down the road in hopes of doing more schooling-wise for my 3rd kid than what I've done baby book-wise (haven't even bought one :-/). Or, it may become absolutely obsolete, as in I don't even post the occasional pictures.

As my first grader has been studying increasingly real and academic topics, my brain has been exploding with ideas of how I want to teach those topics and methods or activities that would really inspire him. The how I would do it is nagging at my heart and refuses to stay swept under the rug. In theory, I should be able to use the beautiful private school 2 days a week, complete their prescribed lessons at home 3 days, and still be able to do all of my own wonderful, in-depth things those 3 days. In reality, while there may technically be time for both and we do do a little of my stuff, my brain simply is not going to take on that WORK & responsibility unless I do ALL. Plus, if I'm going to take on that work and responsibility, I might as well just do it and help our budget out a bit too. There are cons to this train of thought. I do love the heart of the beautiful private school and the other adults that are speaking into my kids' hearts those 2 days. I love most of their friendships. And, most importantly, I do LOVE dropping them off sometimes & not being with them 27-7 non-stop, and I do think of my own sanity. Those cons are significant and real. Yet, my heart will not let me ignore the tug to really go for this thing. After all, it was my dream over two years ago when I started considering kindergarten for my oldest. I now believe I must return to the dream (albeit, the dream-like quality has faded) and at least give it a shot. If the sanity and exhaustion issues can be negotiated, I do fully believe I can give my children the best possible education. I know, in theory anyways, what I want to do and how to do it and how to inspire these young prodigies to their ultimate potential.

An additional complication is that we are most likely moving into our 500 square foot barn and I am going crazy with my inspirations of turning home into classroom.... Ok, I already am crazy to even consider homeschooling with this move on the horizon. This will (hopefully) be a short-term issue, with a barn-addition also in the near future. Another separate but related issue is that I was looking for a small and preferably telecommute job to help out the budget; I suppose I would still be interested in the PERFECT job but the definition of perfect has been narrowed considerably and I have ceased actively looking, as I am more than aware that the undertaking I am considering would be a full-time job. If I am to take this on, it will not be to settle for mediocrity.

I have just finished re-reading A Thomas Jefferson Education for the umpteenth time and am currently reviewing my Charlotte Mason series, more for inspiration than information.

Come fall, it is likely I will be taking full charge of a kinder and second grader. When my heart and mind are fully at good hard work and engaged and alive, writing seems to be part of the equation; this blog will either be testament to such, or it will disappear. My emotions range from fear and doubt to excitement and a sense of destiny and fulfillment but there's enough of a real conviction mixed in to compel me forward.

Jan thru March Learning Snapshots

Reading & reading to little brother. :-)

Rock climbing. Thinking; thinking is important.

Ballet

Battery from lemons

Photography :-)

Dinosaur dig in AZ

Marble tracks... Engineering, friction, weight experiments.

On his own, "I built a boat for a rock! I can make a rock float!"

More reading

Fractions 

Hopscotch & skip counting 

Intro to telling time

Harbors, navy, regional geography

Fire safety

Cards! Comparing numbers, counting, sorting

Regional geography

Tadpoles

Drawing according directions

Life skills!

December Learning Snapshots

Luke completed this at school & I was moved by te fact that none of things he chose to draw are actually things

Holiday crafts

Hydraulics & daddy's work

Christmas!

Their first technology thing of their own... Lots of non-learning, but some learning- using technology, math facts, reading

Life skill: present wrapping & exercising crazy creativity

Engineering at its finest!

That's a wrap for 2013! Merry Christmas & happy 2014! In 2014, I'm looking forward to doing a little more writing in my blog posts.

November Learning Snapshots

Calendar, months, days, years, reading calendar

Workin hard! Even Linden wants to be in on the paper & pencil action 

Visit to the Natural History museum

Lists (Christmas lists)

Baking & lots of it this month. Fractions, measuring, following directions, oven safety.

Intro to oil painting video

Feeding rays.

Falcon.

Pilgrims & Indians

October Learning Snapshots

Even Baby-cakes wants in on our bit of workbook action.

Place value & mental addition via darts!

Big boy's autumn tree art.

Electric motors, mechanical thinking, RC cars!

Luke's first list-making attempt. Lists, sequencing, prioritizing.

Trail riding safety & riding around other horses & in groups.

These 2 have suddenly entered big kid land, spending hour upon hour coloring & loving mazes, dot to dots, puzzles, word games, etc... Critical thinking, fine motor skills (& lots of beautifully quiet constructive time)

Pumpkin art.

Lots if reading including good non-fiction science in Highlights magazine, starting Charlotte's Web (Seriously love of it ... Repetition not bad- increased vocab & comprehension & love of reading with each read)!