Missing Homeschool

Missing Homeschool?

I never thought I would say it, but I miss homeschooling!  We had a rough few years, and I was glad to have a break from homeschooling for this school year.  But, now I am really starting to miss it, and look forward to starting again next school year.  What do I miss?

     Being able to teach my children and experience those "Ah-ha" moments when they learn something new.   Most of school is about reviewing what you know, but it is amazing to watch someone learn something for the first time.

     Being able to sleep until we wake up.  I have to say that I am not a morning person.  We don't usually start homeschool until 9 AM.

     Kids have more time to spend together.  During the day, the girls would take turns entertaining Jonathan between lessons.  They had time to play together before school started, instead of rushing out of the door in the morning.  There was more time to play together after school, because there is no "homework" in homeschool. (It's ALL homework!)

     I can make my own schedule.  If we wanted to take a trip to the beach in February, we did!  If we wanted to do school up until the weekend of Easter to not lose momentum, we did! 

     I could to therapy everyday with the kids.  We did Audibox each morning, which help increase memory skills, as well as help correct reading reversals.  When we go back, I'll be doing Vision Therapy with Katrina each morning to help strengthen her eyes in their ability to focus and work together.

      We took time to read the Bible and memorize scriptures everyday.   I have to admit that I haven't had time to work on their memory work since being in the States, but I've been trying to have them read their Bible each morning.  The curriculum we are using also is a Christian curriculum. 

       I have more time with the kids.  I am starting to miss the girls, they are gone all day!  I find myself looking out the window at 3 PM, and getting their snacks ready.  When we homeschool, we have all day together to talk, read, and just be together.

      

We would do Audibox, a therapy that  helps with memory and reversals every morning.

Our homeschool room in Nairobi in 2011.

         That is not to say that we haven't enjoyed the public school this school year.  We are!  Their teachers have been great, and they have made good friends which is something I prayed about for years before we went back to public school.  It's been a great opportunity for the girls to grow in some interests independently of each other.  Katrina has been able to join band and sing solos for choir.  I wanted them to have some idea of what public school is like, which is what I grew up in.  I'm glad that they are having a positive experience with it.  But, I do look forward to having them home again!

Enjoying Nature

At Sugar Creek Nature Center

     I grew up in "the woods"; we lived on about 2 1/2 acres of wooded land, with woods all around us.  I love being outside in nature in woods.  One regret about our kids growing up in Arusha, is that there isn't much "nature" or "woods" for them to explore outside of Nature Reserves that has an entrance fee, and you aren't allowed to get out of your vehicle.  So, we really enjoyed going to Sugar Creek Nature Center today, not far from our house.  The kids enjoyed playing outside in nature, climbing trees, crossing the creek, and breathing the fresh air.  I LOVED it, and we plan to go back, especially when it warms up in the spring.

Vino and Stephanie Raj!! Wedding day Pictures!

Congrats to our friends, who were married today: Mr. and Mrs. Vino Raj!

Katrina and Heather were flower girls...

Bill was the Best Man...

And we all were happy to be part of their special day.

Jonathan was SOOO happy, that he did a special dance at the reception. :)

Sledding Fun

We don't have sleds here, so we used our laundry basket.  Fun!

Snow!!

Monday it snowed!!  It didn't stick at all, but it was our first official SNOW!

Christmas Time Again

 The kids feeding a reindeer

    Is it just me or does Christmas come around faster and faster every year?  We have been excited to be back in the US for Christmas this year, spending time with family.  We even went to a reindeer farm, and got a live (I guess it's a *dead* tree once it's cut down?) Christmas tree!!  Yay!  I guess the better word is a REAL Christmas tree.  We've never had a REAL tree in our 13 years of marriage, so I'm excited.

    We're still waiting for some snow, which we haven't seen in over 3 years.  It's only flurried lightly once.  LET IT SNOW, LET IT SNOW, LET IT SNOW!

Proud of my girls

I am SO PROUD of both of my girls, who both received the Student of the Month award for their grade. Katrina won for September, and Heather for October.  I am just so happy that they are adjusting so well to public school, and are achieving so much!!

As a side note: We have found out that Katrina is far-sighted, and that near work (reading, sewing) causes her eyes to strain, even though she has 20/20 vision.  So, she will be getting reading glasses, and will be starting vision therapy soon to help strengthen those eye muscles.