ACT...

Saturday, Sissy attended an ACT seminar.  It was to help her/prepare her for the ACT coming up in March.  One of the first things they did there was to take a full length practice ACT (an old one I guess).  She came home with her score.  Are you ready for this?  She scored a 25!!!!  WOW!  On the writing section she scored a 4/6 and a 3/6.  According to the booklet, both of these scores are also very good showing she either has the skills or is improving on the writing skills that they were looking for!!  The seminar was 5 hours long!  I don't think she liked it very well, but hopefully it has somewhat prepared her for the real thing.

I am currently enrolled in an online teaching course.  We were asked to fill out a questionnaire for a magazine article that is being written about homeschooling/montessori.  One of the questions was "Why?".  So I gave them our top 3 most important answers which were:

1) To allow our children to grow up at home to be the unique individual God intended them to be.  To maintain their own desires, wishes, likes and dislikes without feeling the need to change them just to fit in with a group of peers, and to do this with the love and support of family and at their own pace.

2) To truly learn our beautiful faith and to live the liturgy on a daily basis.  Of course they will grow up cradle catholics, but hopefully with the thirst, hunger and knowledge of a convert.

3) To become independent learners while obtaining a sound education at their own pace, not someone elses.  At the same time being able to pursue any desires they have in the process.

Now, that being said, there are many other reasons we homeschool that are revealed to us on an almost daily basis.  So, we will start with yesterday!!

Why homeschool? Reason #4

(conversation with dear son in the school system)

Son: Man Mom, I love my new I-Pod!  It makes school so much better.  Now I don't have to listen to everybody talking!

Mom:  You listen to your teacher though, right?

Son: Sometimes!  But Gee she goes over the same stuff in algebra II over and over again, for like 2 weeks, and I already know how to do it!!

hmmmm.

HOMELEARNING...

Today I was reading one of my umpteen favorite blogs and was enlightened by her topic.  Homelearning.  We always call it homeschooling, but now I believe it should be called homelearning.  Here's why (that's the nice thing about blogging, I can rattle on without being stopped!).  Well, first for the obvious, we are at home and we are learning, duh!!  In a school you have desks, chalkboards and 1500 other students.  Here at home we have comfortable seating, food when we're hungry, access to the restroom when we need it (no hall pass required nor any lines) and your family surrounding you.  In a school you have to keep moving ahead with the rest of the class even when you don't understand what's going on.  Here at home we re-do that Algebra 2 assignment until we understand it, then we move on.  In a school you have to take 2 weeks to learn a new topic even if you understood it after the first lesson.  Here at home we move on once we get it.  In a school it takes 50 minutes to complete a subject.  Here at home less time than that - trust me!  Get it?

Here at home we are learning.  Even the twins.  New concepts are left out for them to attempt at their own pace and when the desire strikes them.  Once the concept is mastered, a new one is set out.  For example: the concept out on the tray now is lacing, after demonstrating this to the boys, brother S. felt the need to try it.  He mastered it the first time.  Brother J. thought it looked like fun, so he tried.  He wasn't able to do it.  He never returned to it that day.  The next day he passed by it and decided to try it again.  I quietly stood in the kitchen watching, he did it!  He was so excited with himself that he repeatedly laced the circles and squares.  When he was done he put them away.  He has been back to them a few times, brother S. hasn't.  He obviously feels no need to since he has mastered it.  Soon we will put out a new concept.

I like the term homelearning.  It says it all.  We don't teach to the test, instead we are hopefully instilling the love of learning.

Before I go I have to show you our little peanut's belly button!!  I took a picture of it this morning so that once it no longer looks like this (as she grows) we would have pictures to look back on.  Check it out, it is a perfect cross!!  Awesome huh?  Have a great night.  Talk to ya soon!

AUTISM

Each time this video is viewed online, the band Five For Fighting will donate .40 cents to research for autism.  Click, then pass it along!

What Kind of World Do You Want

RUNNING...

Today was a very busy day.  The kind of day that found me whining to my dear hubby at the end of it.  It was quite overwhelming to say the least.  It started out with Bubby missing the school bus.  Doesn't sound too bad I know but when you need to take one to school at one building then drive 30 minutes to drop off 2 more at another building, missing the bus is really not a good idea.  This meant that the rush was on.  Two little one's had to leave without breakfast, not a good idea.  Then on the way, one little one had messy pants - made things even worse!  Unfortunately things didn't get any better until this afternoon.  Early afternoon I took Little Peanut to the doctor for a well visit!  She now weighs 13 lbs. 12 oz. and is 25 inches tall!  She smiled and laughed at the doctor the whole time.  The doctor wanted me to tell daddy that I lost her so she could take her home. :)  She said she was perfect!  Not too fat, not to skinny, just perfect!  I have to say I agree.  Things started improving in my day about the time I left for the appointment.  Everything has been great since - just a rough start I guess.  Daddy is off playing volleyball right now, Sissy and Bubby are watching Yball, and the 3 little ones are all sleeping.  Well the boys are still playing but they are in bed :)  So I am taking a moment for myself although I still have so much to do this evening. Laundry, cleaning, Laundry, Laundry and more Laundry.  So I guess I'll start with...Laundry!!  Yes, in a family of nine Laundry begins with a capital L!!  Hope you have a great evening!  Talk to ya soon.

YOU KNOW...

...your tired when, after pumping breastmilk for your wee little one, you walk right by the fridge to put it away in the...bathroom!!

ARE WE HAVING FUN YET?...

Daddy's sick, Mommy's sick, all three little ones are sick.  Daddy went to work :(  Mommy stayed home and is currently playing with Puffs, breathing treatments every 4 hours, a nasal syringe (around here we call it a snot sucker) and more Puffs!!  Oh yeah, my sweatshirt is covered in eye, nose and mouth "stuff" :(  How is your day going?

Look What I Can Do...

ALL Is Peaceful...

Baptism...

Sunday Our Little Peanut was baptized!!  It was a great morning.  All of us, along with all of daddy's family, were there to watch the blessed event!!  She was immersed and she wasn't too sure she liked that.  The water was very warm and comfy, but I think it shocked her.  She didn't cry though.  There were 3 other little ones being baptized that morning.  Afterwards everyone came back to our house for pizza and salad to continue the celebration.  We also celebrated a very special someone's birthday - Granny L.'s.  There was yummy cake and ice cream which was of course enjoyed by everyone but me! :(

Logan, The Sky Angel Cowboy

Pause the blog music (Sonific) for this one!!