Don't look now but it happened!

I guess it happened! I didn't think it would, I read that it might........

Well friends, this Afterschooling mom has gone Homeschooling mom. On Monday I am pulling my Spencer out of school too. I am surprised myself and I am absolutely speechless every time someone asks me, "WHY?". That is a tricky question for so many reasons. I respect public education and understand the importance and the amazing role that it plays in the lives of so many children including my own. So in no way do I want to discount the public school system. I think basically I just want them to myself. I have loved having Matthew home and our relationship has grown by leaps and bounds. Matthew and I often find ourselves saying, "Spencer would love this". So why not?

Maggie will remain in Kindergarten (she loves it) and possibly come home for first grade. I will not continue to Afterschool her in the same was as I was before as she is very tired by the end of the day and has a hard time with the extra. Instead I will read the girl to death and enjoy listening to her read to me (which she is very good at).

I hope not to disappoint as I have loved the Afterschooling program and the enrichment that it has provided for my family. I have loved blogging about it and looking back and reading about our GREAT success and times I needed a life line.

Saying goodbye to Afterschooling is a bitter sweet thing for my husband and I. We have loved spending that extra time with the kids and enriching their learning. However, minus the homework and plus the free time equals MORE FAMILY FUN! We plan on continuing religious studies the same as before but adding more outdoor time, Science experiments, trips to the library, parks, bike rides, hikes and the list could go on forever.

I am going to keep my blog going it will just have a new name (still thinking). Thanks to all or should I say the few moms that read and shared in my Adventures in Afterschooling. Please do not leave me, I promise you will not be disappointed.

One Week Down

At the end of the year I always ponder on the idea of a New Years Resolution. This year I wanted something all inclusive, something that said it all in one word. I decided that this year I would resolve to be more self-less. I would spend more time on others (especially family) and less time on me. Unfortunately I had become my own time hog. I want to do this so everything else can wait.

Last week I started homeschooling..... My New Years Resolution for 2010 is this.

I resolve not to loose myself

It was a great week! I was so glad I started it off by reading "The Well Trained Mind". I felt so prepared after reading that book and I had direction. Good thing because we ran into some trouble with enrollment at AZVA and school didn't officially start until Thursday. Matthew spent Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday working on things my friend Nicholle (AZVA teacher) gave us and learning about Classical Education. He also took time to prepare his space and fix up an old desk we bought at the Goodwill.

I am SO glad to be on track with AZVA, Matthew was given an Advanced Learning teacher and I had the opportunity to speak with her on the phone Friday evening. She filled my brain with LOTS of helpful information that will get us headed in the right direction.

I am really on brain overload, my brain muscles are sore but that just means they are getting BIGGER, COOL! The only downfall; between homeschooling and afterschooling I am teaching "ALL DAY". Making a schedule and plan is next on my agenda.

As Always... I will keep you posted!

Books for mom

I just read the book "The Well Trained Mind" and I encourage all to read it. I was really excited that the first part of the book mentioned afterschooling even though it is primarily for homeschooling families.

The curriculum is based on Classical learning and is an amazing resource for anyone that has not been introduced to this learning method. After reading the book I was convinced of the importance of and absence of classical learning in the lives of my children. I really wanted to absorb every aspect of this book and make room in my brain for permanent storage space. I know that remembering every idea, resource, term, and other fascinating qualities of the book is nearly impossible(I will have to buy the book). However I know that I will retain that need and desire to make classical education a part of my children's lives.

Note: The book is long but it has curriculum ideas and resources from kinder to high school. I just read through the beginning of the book, kinder thru 4th grade information and the ending chapters.

This book is amazing and inspirational and I know that you will love it.