Out of the Mouths of Babes

I was helping Megan with a little painting project (painting a volcano). I got out my acrylic paints and good brushes to do the job and we got to work.

When I saw all my nice painting supplies out, I commented, "I really miss painting. I really enjoyed it."

She looked at me seriously, and told me in a lecturing tone, "Then why don't you do it? If it's your hobby, you should do it. If you're not doing it, then it's just something you do. You need to do your hobby."

She's right. I always find reasons why I can't paint. Too busy. Too much school work. Too many errands. Too many dishes. Too tired. etc... (insert excuse here)...

I left out my brushes. I'll see if I can take my own 6 year old's advice and actually start painting again. I do love it.

SCIENCE FAIR

Sami and Megan had their Home School Science Fair last night. They had a blast!

Megan presented her Volcanoes poster and her baking soda/vinegar volcano. Sami showed her Liquids poster and showed the different liquids in bottles. I was so proud of them! I was afraid that they wouldn't want to talk in front of everyone, but they didn't hesitate. I don't think I could have held them back if I wanted to. :) They have so much more confidence than I ever did at that age (6 and 8).

All the kids did very well, and the other kids were very interested in each others' projects. Instead of complaining about being bored, all the kids crowded around the demonstrations and WANTED to hear and see what each was about. Some of the kids knew some of each others' demonstrations and wanted to jump in and help with other kids' presentations.

Here are some of their pictures, courtesy of Jennifer...Thanks!

McCormick's Creek and the Science Fair

We just got back from spending a wonderful week at McCormick's Creek State Park (near Bloomington, Indiana). We got to ride Horses (weeeee!) and swim in the pool (brrrrrrrrr!) and sleep in a cabin with mice (eeeeeeeeeeeeeek!). The second night at the cabin, we put out some mouse traps and managed to lessen the mouse population by three. I got out of bed and did a little dance when they snapped (I was mad because they ate my oyster crackers). Bad Head Nut. :P

We got Hannah and Sarah the last night there. Sami, Hannah and I went through Wolf Cave (all the way to the end), and managed to not get lost. Dave was sweet enough to stay with Sarah and Megan, partly because the girls didn't want to go in very far, and partly because we had one Winnie-the-Pooh flashlight to share amongst six people in a narrow, cramped cave. Even the lead person couldn't see but two feet in front!

We also played in a waterfall, played in the creek, caught minnows, crawdads, and various bottom sucker fish, and collect fossils of crinoids and brachiopods. All in all it was a blast. It was so quiet at the park since most of the public school children were back in class.

Today we did 90% of the girls' science projects for their homeschool science fair, so they can present it this Thursday. I made them read all the material and hand write or print on the computer all the information themselves. I did help with spelling and organization, as well as what information was pertinent to put on their poster boards.

Sami is doing liquids, and will have a demonstration of various liquids and their densities. Megan is doing volcanoes, with a home-made plaster-of-paris volcano so that she can do the baking soda/vinegar thing. I was anxious about impressing other people (meaning other homeschool parents), but my husband reminded me that this isn't about me. It's about the girls learning and having fun doing it. I hate it when he's right! :P

North to Alaska

Today my family is having a party for my brother, Jeff. He is going to teach in the Chatham School District in Angoon, Alaska this year (on Admiralty Island, 60 miles SW of Juno). He will specialize in special education. We're all saying our farewells (for now), since he'll probably be gone the entire school year. I offered to give him some articles out of my hunting magazines about bear attacks. He declined, but he said I could give him articles on preventing bear attacks!

Jeff is like me in some aspects. He is very conservative, but he teaches at public schools. What a quandary? Nope! I think he likes to use the opportunity to drive the liberal NEA people nuts!

His wife and kids are staying here in Indiana, so we're going to help her out with anything she needs.

I was really hoping to fly up there sometime this year to visit, but after I found out the prices of airline tickets, I think I'll write emails instead.

Confidence in Homeschooling

What a difference a year makes. Last year I was so worried that I would screw up homeschooling. I was afraid that I would miss teaching them something that all the PS school kids were learning.

This year I just don't care how my kids compare. My kids are going at the level that is comfortable for them and for me, and everything feels so right! There are subjects that my kids are way above grade level in, but not everything is perfect. We are always learning, improving, adjusting, and going with what works.

I am no longer keeping up with the Jones' in homeschooling. We are blazing our own path, and it feels great. I am so grateful for the others who blazed trails in HS prior to me. I am able to pick and choose what I like and customize it for my family.