today has been one of those days that i will not list details, as not to embarrass anyone:)
but, still, with all the ups and downs and being through the immediate...i can't do this anymore!!!....i can rationally see that this the best choice for our family in this season of our lives...
today, after school, i made erika take a nap with me...it was truly for both of us, but as she slept and slept well after i had gotten up, i saw that she desperately needed it. during the summer, she doesn't need a nap, and won't go to sleep at night if she has one...but today, after all that thinking and working at first grade, i see she just will some days need to be forced to rest.
erikais strong will comes out even more STRONGLY when i am trying to teach her, for she feels she already knows it all and does not want to be bothered with or listen to my instruction. that is where i am glad lee is working out of the home...because his reinforcement is amazing. she is extremely smart, but has gotten in the habit, not having been "officially" taught until this year, of writing some of her letters wrong. and she does not appreciate me showing her the right way:)
throw in the fact that there are two older children, mostly working on their own, but also, at times, needing help...and it can get quite overwhelming.
yesterday, erika's art project was creating a poster about things she liked that had the "m" sound. it actually was a lot of fun and big sis ended up making one of her own as well. (btw, anyone coming to visit us....PLEASE bring a few old magazines...we constantly need them for projects and for things at children's church...i brought two back with me...but the pics are quickly disappearing...)
the funniest thing about this counting poster was that Erika said, "i didn't realize that i would make my face so dark...i'm not really that brown..." it was just funny, but still love how the project turned out...
and my artistic Tori, working on some crafty things for her room as well...that girl is always working on something...except cleaning her room:)
there are some disadvantages of homeschooling...needing to find ways to get the kids out of the house, wanting to be lazier since mom is the teacher, not liking when mom wont let you get away with being lazy, and just getting tired of being with your siblings all day... but the advantages far outweigh those. in fact, this morning, when we were struggling, i thought...you know the enemy does not like that we are homeschooling...and discouragement and frustration were setting in...so, that was a reminder to me that sometimes, i need to refocus and turn to the Lord for help when those things happen.
oh, and the advantages? seeing your child learn...and being a part of it when they finally "get" it, siblings learning to love each other deeper and being friends with each other...they are truly better friends being homeschooled, then when they went their separate ways each day. we eat all our meals together around the table...a major thing that they are showing improves so many things in a child's life..here's just one of many articles telling the importance of eating together as a family...., the kids finish either before or right after lunch...and with the hot temps, that is definitely a blessing. also, just having the freedom to once in a while cancel school and say, help build a house, or enjoy family or teams visiting, and setting our own schedules. it is nice.
i found out today that a lady is starting ballet classes in her home... i would really love for erika to be able to go so she will have a physical outlet and to be around more children. we have really missed it since ywam couldn't do it anymore...and i just told Tori the other day that i wished there was a ballet studio and a lady from my church called me this morning. i am now just waiting on others to sign up so we can start:)
it is not sooo hot here now, but still warm and a little sweaty. i am really ready for fall and cooler temps...
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