Not off to a running start.

Last week, we all came down with the crud.  Lots of sneezing, snotting, sore throats, coughing, and all that jazz.  Apparently, we're still getting over it all.

However, the week hasn't been completely unproductive.  Iris wrote a new song, Arlo picked up an Obama button at the Labor Day parade, and let's see. . .oh yeah, Dono has been working on some good PowerPoint animations and Little Big Planet levels.

We'll get to the "real" stuff eventually.

Well, so that was a bust...

But this year, I am determined!  I am going to update!  It's been a rough year on us, in general.  I won't go into deep details, but working third shift for a few months really threw me off.  I'm wondering if I'll have to do it again this year.  I really hope not.  It was a good job, and the money was nice, but the hours ate my soul, and made me neglect more than I meant to.

Hopefully now, I can keep after myself to be exactly what I'm supposed to be, so that I can help the kids be exactly what they're supposed to be.

It's almost that time!

While unschooling is definitely what we mostly do, this year I've decided to take a slightly different approach.  I bought a subscription to ABCteach and have been printing out worksheets like a woman possessed.  I'm actually about to run out of paper!

Why are we doing this?  Well, I worry that with all their creative activities that the kids are missing out on a few core subjects, like social studies and science.  They definitely show interest in these areas, but have yet to really dig in.  I've ordered some books from Ebay that should be here by the time our year starts.  I'm gonna give it a go, and see if it works!

Our school year officially begins the day after Labor Day.  I feel sorry for kids who have to start nearly a month earlier, when it is still too hot to think properly.  It seems like their summer gets cut shorter with every passing year, at least in this area.  Mine went swimming today, instead of being stuck in a classroom!

I need to get out and buy more folders and whatnot to put all these papers in.  One nice thing about this time of year--cheap school supplies!

Yes, I should be sleeping!

I'm printing out worksheets.  Sometimes I get bitten by that bug, and I just can't help myself.  We will be working on creative writing this week!

Waiting for the season to end

Our initial enthusiasm for getting started this year waned with the solid month of scorching heat.  I'm sure we aren't the only family affected this way!  Our energy was sapped, so we've mostly just been laying around in the air conditioning, longing for the days of crunchy leaves and chilly winds.

The kids have still been working on their animations and other creations, though, so it hasn't been a total bust.  I picked up a part-time job this week, and we had cable installed at our house.  Direct TV was annoying, and Comcast has HD included.  Our DSL was slow as molasses, and switching to cable has been like going from dial-up to broadband for the first time.  So, we've had a nice few days, regardless of the weather.

Here's hoping the heat goes away soon so that we can get back to doing what we do!

I hate summer.

If you or your child is named Summer, I apologize. I don't hate you.

If the temperature outside is above 80 degrees Fahrenheit, I tend to hunker down in my living room and stay there until the big, bad sun goes away.  Lately though, it's still been sweltering well after midnight, so it's been difficult.  And then, the guilt kicks in, because I realize that I should be happy that I have at least one air conditioner to keep me from melting.  Believe me, I am very grateful.  I still like to whine now and then.

I think that a lot of it might be some sort of PTSD from the horribly bad sunburns I've gotten in my life.  I'm more or less a Ginger, with very pale skin, freckles, and reddish hair.  I am incapable of getting a tan.  I burst into flames if I am in direct sunlight for more than an hour or two.  My husband, on the other hand, doesn't burn at all, but turns a nice golden brown.  It's been interesting to see how these traits carried to our children.  Arlo, our oldest, is pale and freckled like me.  He burns like wildfire, much like me.  Donovan is somewhere in the middle. He burns, but not as badly as Arlo.  Iris takes after her dad and my mom.  She doesn't burn, she bakes nicely.

The kids have been swimming at my brother's house for the past couple of days, which is how I've come to these conclusions.  I need to figure out how to turn it into a biology lesson.

Unschooling?

So, how many of you, when you mention to others that your kids are unschooled, are met with derision, silly questions, and maybe even hostility?  It happens.  It can be difficult to convey to those involved in more traditional education that our kids don't just sit around and play video games all day.  Even other homeschoolers don't always understand what it is we do.

My children have never been to school.  My children have never been to church, except to see their cousins perform in holiday programs.  A "normal" classroom is somewhat foreign to them.  They rarely do worksheets, except on occasions when I think an area needs more focus, like math or handwriting.  Yet, they read at levels that surpass many of their public school peers.  They can add up large numbers in their heads.  Their social studies could use some work, but we're getting there.

The trick is finding something they are interested in, and finding ways to incorporate learning with those interests.  For example, all three of my kids are obsessed with Pokemon.  They memorize like no one's business, use math to help level up their particular Pokemon to be the best they can be, and share their pocket monsters amongst themselves and friends.  They use these honed memorization skills in other areas without even noticing.  It's fun to watch!

I'm rambling.  I suppose I should just close right now by reminding everyone to not be discouraged by naysayers.  They are either going to understand, or they won't.  Feel confident that your methods work for you!