tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1835042851810234162024-02-06T20:05:24.026-06:00School in our Home.The Mom behind the Chaoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15795515857958994651noreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-183504285181023416.post-48072794948087026502011-04-22T14:20:00.000-05:002011-04-22T14:20:02.845-05:00InchimalsOk..we just got these today and I can not say enough about them already! They are a big hit! They are a great early math manipulative.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxWG3-CGcXmrqzLkC8UCmYP4mUoM1J2auJ3zuEbmYUbIC9gpD9ZuHUMJhy4REwMBR0b8NpjOayQjT2PHwQHE7fMkq-jKgjWYdy-xRUQDSaH2bWAQLvH2MGT_kMXM86VmKxs5naC0h_Kmo/s1600/fa038.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxWG3-CGcXmrqzLkC8UCmYP4mUoM1J2auJ3zuEbmYUbIC9gpD9ZuHUMJhy4REwMBR0b8NpjOayQjT2PHwQHE7fMkq-jKgjWYdy-xRUQDSaH2bWAQLvH2MGT_kMXM86VmKxs5naC0h_Kmo/s320/fa038.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<li style="color: black; font-family: Tahoma, Geneva, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Inchimals Animal Blocks<br />
A learning safari - more ways to explore with Inchimals... </span></li><br />
<li style="color: black; font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Practice counting</span></li><br />
<li style="color: black; font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Sequence Inchimal blocks from the shortest to the longest</span></li><br />
<li style="color: black; font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Introduce vocabulary - shorter, taller, longer, height, length, distance, perimeter</span></li><br />
<li style="color: black; font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Explore individual segments, numbers & dots on each Inchimal block</span></li><br />
<li style="color: black; font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Learn addition and subtraction concepts!</span></li><br />
<li style="color: black; font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Master pre-algebra understandings and balance equations!</span></li><br />
<li style="color: black; font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Stand Inchimals blocks side by side or stack neatly to promote fine motor control</span></li><br />
<li style="color: black; font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Invite creative thinking, language & dialogue, and dramatic play</span></li><br />
<li style="color: black; font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Write on-wipe off puzzle book features 100 puzzles</span></li><br />
<li style="color: black; font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Included puzzle book includes write on-wipe off erasable pen</span></li><br />
<li style="color: black; font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Designed to be used at home, in the classroom or on the go!</span></li><br />
<li style="color: black; font-family: Tahoma, Geneva, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Inchimals adheres to all current safety requirements for the U.S. & Europe </span><kl><br />
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Check out <a href="http://www.fatbraintoys.com/toy_companies/fat_brain_toy_co/inchimals.cfm">Inchimals</a> and see if it is tool that would be useful in your in your school.<br />
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<i>FatBrain toys do not know that I exist and I am gettin' nothing in return. I share because I LOVE!</i>The Mom behind the Chaoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15795515857958994651noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-183504285181023416.post-42639499625260550422011-04-04T19:26:00.000-05:002011-04-04T19:26:08.703-05:00Homeschool Mom tells you off....The choice to homeschool was an easy one for our family.<br />
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I have a degree in elementary education.<br />
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I taught school.<br />
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And....<br />
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I don't need your negative attitude about it.<br />
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I think that every family must make the choice to educate their children in the way that works best for their family. I don't care if you send your kids to public school, a private school or homeschool them. You have to do what works for you...not what your next door neighbor's sister's hairdresser thinks works for you and not what your mom's best friend's daughter's niece does...do what works for YOU and YOUR family.<br />
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That being said...<u><b>please</b></u> give me the same respect.<br />
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If you don't like the idea of homeschooling, don't show up on my blog or my facebook page, etc, cause I am going to talk about it.<br />
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I am going to talk about what is going on, on the state and national level that could effect my rights as a homeschooling parent, my choices as a homeschool parent and my children's academic future. Please don't tell me that we don't <i>do</i> school. Yes, in fact, we <i>do</i> do school. Just because we do it differently than what you are used to or are familiar with...doesn't mean we don't <i>do</i> school.<br />
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I follow the rules that have been set forth by the state. I file my papers. I test using the state approved tests. I do everything that is required of me. AND I pay my taxes. I pay for those extra curricular activities that your kids get to do. I pay for those field trips. I pay for those extras that your kid gets to use.<br />
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And you know what, I am fine with that. Why? Because I want your kids to get the best education that they can get! I want your kids to be great at reading and math and science and all the other stuff, too! I really do. I want your kids to have a great education and get great jobs and be great citizens of their communities. I want them to change the world for the better and if you need my tax money to do it..take it. You can have it. It is worth it. For <u>all</u> of us.<br />
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But you know what...I don't get any kind of a tax break. I don't get any incentives. I pay for your kids education, as well as mine. I don't get anything. It all comes out of my husband's paycheck.<br />
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So, if you don't like it...you can go away.<br />
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I am not getting paid if you visit.<br />
I am not getting paid if you click here or there.<br />
So don't read what I have written if you feel that negative about homeschooling.<br />
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Please.<br />
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I think that we should remember, "If you don't have anything nice to say...don't say anything at all."<br />
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I <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">PROMISE</span> I will return the favor.The Mom behind the Chaoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15795515857958994651noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-183504285181023416.post-88468082769921948372010-10-25T20:20:00.000-05:002010-10-25T20:20:46.539-05:00Here is where I try to come up with some good excusesI know, I know, I know.<br />
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I said I would do better and I haven't. I am sure that I have disappointed you.<br />
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All....2 of you.<br />
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What can I say, I'm a slacker.<br />
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Today the boys started a homeschool PE class called <a href="http://www.operationrecreation.com/">Operation Recreation</a>. And truly, I can't say enough about it. The 3 big kids have hour long classes and the little one has 30 minutes. The prices are incredible and well worth it. Plus they get to have that "socialization" that the rest of the world is so concerned they do not get. LOL<br />
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They loved it and are already counting down the days till next Monday at 1:15!!<br />
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SUBJECT CHANGE.......<br />
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We recently got this game.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuTQt32rxmJqYrUy0xB-bzEOr21cdUkFdMUBXTZbUhy1RJizvFX9Nxt0S37HT6luamSXd16TC1LiCt-YFKAxUfIRENcterQOAKg4MfAZMGjpd0gEsRrsbYGcN4qqTa37kMUjeLM6ttop4/s1600/AC093407.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuTQt32rxmJqYrUy0xB-bzEOr21cdUkFdMUBXTZbUhy1RJizvFX9Nxt0S37HT6luamSXd16TC1LiCt-YFKAxUfIRENcterQOAKg4MfAZMGjpd0gEsRrsbYGcN4qqTa37kMUjeLM6ttop4/s1600/AC093407.jpg" /></a></div><br />
It's a sight word game the 1st and 2nd grader love it and I, evidently am not very good at it.<br />
I have reason to believe they cheat.<br />
I can't prove it yet...but I am collecting evidence against them.<br />
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We also got this one and they all like it. They younger readers need a little help, but overall it is a favorite.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfExpagOs_Opa1J6fWxjkAzSa-Nd4t6WziQGZnc-wSmgvoKAuLBwIjU55syJh-6bG21E116WdQScYdf1WPVwlYsqSanUo59Nq8ItSIRw29wVYnwX30RUN2Bvx6KeonTcghSrIY-Fp85do/s1600/prod7364_dt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfExpagOs_Opa1J6fWxjkAzSa-Nd4t6WziQGZnc-wSmgvoKAuLBwIjU55syJh-6bG21E116WdQScYdf1WPVwlYsqSanUo59Nq8ItSIRw29wVYnwX30RUN2Bvx6KeonTcghSrIY-Fp85do/s1600/prod7364_dt.jpg" /></a></div>It is a reading comprehension and vocabulary game. I have yet to win at this one either.<br />
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I am beginning to see a pattern.<br />
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I may need intensive summer school.<br />
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Tomorrow we bowl.<br />
Once a month we go to Fast Lanes with another homeschool family we love and rent a lane for an hour for $16 and we make all 8 kids throw large balls at odd shaped sticks and burn some energy! It's great fun!<br />
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Pictures to follow...maybe. Someday, if I get around to it.The Mom behind the Chaoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15795515857958994651noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-183504285181023416.post-56160559823518787552010-09-23T15:48:00.002-05:002010-09-23T15:48:42.523-05:00Great quote<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #691f01; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 12px;">"If I had my child to raise over again....I'd see the oak tree in the acorn more often" --Diane Loomans</span>The Mom behind the Chaoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15795515857958994651noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-183504285181023416.post-56804935879958878892010-09-23T14:12:00.000-05:002010-09-23T14:12:14.684-05:00Huh??I am not sure what I was thinking last week when I said I would try to write something every day...this is our off week.<br />
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We aren't doing school this week.<br />
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We are playing and relaxing and cleaning and sleeping late and watching fun movies and going to the Zoo and that kind of stuff.<br />
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So maybe next week I'll have something life changing to write about.<br />
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As for now, I'm trying to get next week work cards done and plan a big get-together for the Arkansas vs. Alabama game this weekend!!<br />
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WWWOOOOOOO PIG SOOOIE!The Mom behind the Chaoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15795515857958994651noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-183504285181023416.post-10862906729787722952010-09-23T14:11:00.000-05:002010-09-23T14:11:14.157-05:00Univ. of Arkansas Fight Song with Shirley Q<object style="background-image:url(http://i2.ytimg.com/vi/yDJeppQ5dew/hqdefault.jpg)" width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/yDJeppQ5dew?fs=1&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/yDJeppQ5dew?fs=1&hl=en_US" width="425" height="344" allowscriptaccess="never" allowfullscreen="true" wmode="transparent" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object>The Mom behind the Chaoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15795515857958994651noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-183504285181023416.post-65458537181757239782010-09-17T16:11:00.006-05:002010-09-17T16:38:52.620-05:00Scattered and random<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY-NviJLzvFSK7QhEQEDvheRQORr49wIjEJLqNdS3SqiIrOiyPeq5rpSEnYzAu-ZVoy-U5w7fSVUWWdPoObYlrMPEklHd0zbAqYujllbG0k41RNBiNTC2Hso9BNlJmotFuSBNyL2kR-3s/s1600/DSC_0439.jpg"></a>School is under way -full force at our little homeschool. Matter of fact...we have been going 6 weeks strong and next week is our off week. Well, off, if you don't count the 2 belt-loops and and 2 academic pins for science and weather, and the WEBELOS Scientist and Traveler pins and zoo trip that we will be working on.<div><br /></div><div>I am going to <i>try</i> to blog something each day for a while. Even if it is something short and sweet.</div><div><br /></div><div>No promises...but from the looks of things...no one will know if I do or if I don't! LOL</div><div><br /></div><div>This year we are schooling a Jr. K, 1st, 2nd and a 5th grader. And it is really working for us. I think that it is harder when the littles are really litte. Seems to be easier if I actually have all 4 schooling....go figure.</div><div><br /></div><div>We took a trip to Washing ton DC this summer for the 2010 Nation Scout Jamboree. It was incredible!</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY-NviJLzvFSK7QhEQEDvheRQORr49wIjEJLqNdS3SqiIrOiyPeq5rpSEnYzAu-ZVoy-U5w7fSVUWWdPoObYlrMPEklHd0zbAqYujllbG0k41RNBiNTC2Hso9BNlJmotFuSBNyL2kR-3s/s320/DSC_0439.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517994622442093458" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px; " /></span><div>On day 2 of our trip, my Daddy called around 10:30am to tell my my Granny had passed away. So we changed course and Scout and the boys dropped me off and started the trip without me. I joined them 3 days later to finish up.</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2daGFXLhcEUFcbsKOkWi4HCS09zw-ATwr4jy1yB3gvuaW3L4LcCjGS2W2-0VdMwZDFIN8ShcxdWuUWbSJK7Ecx1Rmd9R47aQQbNtQQRv73FsBisr-i2t2IrdyOlu8Q0KaXHIki3tumqA/s320/DSC_0315.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517998317832296178" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px; " /></span><div>The boys had such an amazing time. They loved everything about DC. We drug them out of museum every evening!</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZmWYWT02pqdM-LQlHSYI7e_G3Zqfchwl2mRmA3nquiv7BAYn0HbXffnuHh200BNWOZpdNjv01gfN3vyduTPkjMoMddV-3m0rM8yATUaerL9y8BMgha1LnLsIhtvWyHKFRxGH7gzUcaf0/s320/DSC_0236.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517998312120134898" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px; " /></span><div>We attended the Jamboree at Fort AP Hill and is also was nothing short of amazing. We went as guests this time, since they boys are still Cub Scouts. Skipper will be old enough to attend as a Scout in 2013. He has decided to start saving his money so he can go.</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq5g170Y_TQAG-F0eOPlG5pAa9LyRCUcCZtnnt0qpk0fbCXJuImcJegxFCaqLOU4ONNTPqEjErdtSZdTpiGdniUcJGq6Kh3awABdzbsc3v1EuQfYY92PW0j1QLnDMxBMO53lEtOYftOlU/s320/DSC_0654.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517999201135090226" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px; " /></span><div>Daily, I am amazed, watching the boys learn and grow and develop into wonderful young scholars and men.</div><div><br /></div><div>I am grateful that I get the opportunity to be a part of the whole process of raising our boys.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>The Mom behind the Chaoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15795515857958994651noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-183504285181023416.post-8561912118660253852009-11-23T19:10:00.002-06:002009-11-23T19:11:53.023-06:00Homeschooler's Wish List<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 14px; "><div><i>This is not mine..I didn't write it..but I sure do love it! Thank you to whoever the wrote it! I think you have summed it up well!!</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><br /></div>HOMESCHOOLER'S WISH LIST:<br /><br />1. Please stop asking us if it’s legal. If it is — and it is — it’s insulting to imply that we’re criminals. And if we were criminals, would we admit it?<br /><br />2. Learn what the words “socialize” and “socialization” mean, and use the one you really mean instead of mixing them up the way you do now. Socializing means hanging out with other people for fun. Socialization means having acquired the skills necessary to do so successfully and pleasantly. If you’re talking to me and my kids, that means that we do in fact go outside now and then to visit the other human beings on the planet, and you can safely assume that we’ve got a decent grasp of both concepts.<br /><br />3. Quit interrupting my kid at her dance lesson, scout meeting, choir practice, baseball game, art class, field trip, park day, music class, 4H club, or soccer lesson to ask her if as a homeschooler she ever gets to socialize.<br /><br />4. Don’t assume that every homeschooler you meet is homeschooling for the same reasons and in the same way as that one homeschooler you know.<br /><br />5. If that homeschooler you know is actually someone you saw on TV, either on the news or on a “reality” show, the above goes double.<br /><br />6. Please stop telling us horror stories about the homeschoolers you know, know of, or think you might know who ruined their lives by homeschooling. You’re probably the same little bluebird of happiness whose hobby is running up to pregnant women and inducing premature labor by telling them every ghastly birth story you’ve ever heard. We all hate you, so please go away.<br /><br />7. We don’t look horrified and start quizzing your kids when we hear they’re in public school. Please stop drilling our children like potential oil fields to see if we’re doing what you consider an adequate job of homeschooling.<br /><br />8. Stop assuming all homeschoolers are religious.<br /><br />9. Stop assuming that if we’re religious, we must be homeschooling for religious reasons.<br /><br />10. We didn’t go through all the reading, learning, thinking, weighing of options, experimenting, and worrying that goes into homeschooling just to annoy you. Really. This was a deeply personal decision, tailored to the specifics of our family. Stop taking the bare fact of our being homeschoolers as either an affront or a judgment about your own educational decisions.<br /><br /><span>11. Please stop questioning my competency and demanding to see my credentials. I didn’t have to complete a course in catering to successfully cook dinner for my family; I don’t need a degree in teaching to educate my children. If spending at least twelve years in the kind of chew-it-up-and-spit-it-out</span><wbr><span class="word_break" style="display: block; float: left; margin-left: -10px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "></span> educational facility we call public school left me with so little information in my memory banks that I can’t teach the basics of an elementary education to my nearest and dearest, maybe there’s a reason I’m so reluctant to send my child to school.<br /><br />12. If my kid’s only six and you ask me with a straight face how I can possibly teach him what he’d learn in school, please understand that you’re calling me an idiot. Don’t act shocked if I decide to respond in kind.<br /><br />13. Stop assuming that because the word “home” is right there in “homeschool,” we never leave the house. We’re the ones who go to the amusement parks, museums, and zoos in the middle of the week and in the off-season and laugh at you because you have to go on weekends and holidays when it’s crowded and icky.<br /><br />14. Stop assuming that because the word “school” is right there in homeschool, we must sit around at a desk for six or eight hours every day, just like your kid does. Even if we’re into the “school” side of education — and many of us prefer a more organic approach — we can burn through a lot of material a lot more efficiently, because we don’t have to gear our lessons to the lowest common denominator.<br /><br />15. Stop asking, “But what about the Prom?” Even if the idea that my kid might not be able to indulge in a night of over-hyped, over-priced revelry was enough to break my heart, plenty of kids who do go to school don’t get to go to the Prom. For all you know, I’m one of them. I might still be bitter about it. So go be shallow somewhere else.<br /><br />16. Don’t ask my kid if she wouldn’t rather go to school unless you don’t mind if I ask your kid if he wouldn’t rather stay home and get some sleep now and then.<br /><br />17. Stop saying, “Oh, I could never homeschool!” Even if you think it’s some kind of compliment, it sounds more like you’re horrified. One of these days, I won’t bother disagreeing with you any more.<br /><br />18. If you can remember anything from chemistry or calculus class, you’re allowed to ask how we’ll teach these subjects to our kids. If you can’t, thank you for the reassurance that we couldn’t possibly do a worse job than your teachers did, and might even do a better one.<br /><br />19. Stop asking about how hard it must be to be my child’s teacher as well as her parent. I don’t see much difference between bossing my kid around academically and bossing him around the way I do about everything else.<br /><br />20. Stop saying that my kid is shy, outgoing, aggressive, anxious, quiet, boisterous, argumentative, pouty, fidgety, chatty, whiny, or loud because he’s homeschooled. It’s not fair that all the kids who go to school can be as annoying as they want to without being branded as representative of anything but childhood.<br /><br />21. Quit assuming that my kid must be some kind of prodigy because she’s homeschooled.<br /><br />22. Quit assuming that I must be some kind of prodigy because I homeschool my kids.<br /><br />23. Quit assuming that I must be some kind of saint because I homeschool my kids.<br /><br />24. Stop talking about all the great childhood memories my kids won’t get because they don’t go to school, unless you want me to start asking about all the not-so-great childhood memories you have because you went to school.<br /><br />25. Here’s a thought: If you can’t say something nice about homeschooling, shut up!</span>The Mom behind the Chaoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15795515857958994651noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-183504285181023416.post-1584442858471967112009-07-31T09:42:00.004-05:002009-07-31T09:48:28.024-05:00See With Me Bible<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNzn-n9BI2PIj046siaY4qnDeoeI4cSgu3wKb4bViFp9OQzNFVHuzIZdstEfNASulv95ZdJnRPMEMCJz3wddyRo25vKEv8ftQDTklpNREFuLlO0eHgAO61wTJcUYTegobmLDmSWHqSD9Q/s1600-h/61krzbOOENL._SL500_AA240_.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNzn-n9BI2PIj046siaY4qnDeoeI4cSgu3wKb4bViFp9OQzNFVHuzIZdstEfNASulv95ZdJnRPMEMCJz3wddyRo25vKEv8ftQDTklpNREFuLlO0eHgAO61wTJcUYTegobmLDmSWHqSD9Q/s400/61krzbOOENL._SL500_AA240_.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364635606148094434" /></a><br />I love this Bible.<div><br /></div><div>It is perfect for my pre-readers. There are VERY few words. The stories are well told thru the artwork. It make the younger kids feel grown up.</div><div><br /></div><div>I like it because other young child versions have limited artwork and/or too many words.</div><div><br /></div><div>Scrappy loves his and has carried it everywhere for 2 days now. He is thrilled cause he "has read the whole Bible"!</div><div><br /></div><div>Great job Zonderkids and Dennis Jones! 2 thumbs way up here at our house! I can see this wonderful book will be a well worn treasure when it is all said and done!</div>The Mom behind the Chaoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15795515857958994651noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-183504285181023416.post-78965925137503527402009-07-30T21:34:00.002-05:002009-07-30T21:42:03.248-05:00LOVE THISA very dear friend of mine has been helping me int he "now what do we do with the dyslexia diagnosis" department.<div><br /></div><div>She spent a Friday night giving me ideas and encouragement. She gave me a link to check out...it has been a huge blessing!</div><div><br /></div><div>It is the <a href="http://www.arbookfind.com">Accelerated reader</a> site and you can type in a book title and it will tell you what level the book is!!</div><div><br /></div><div>I have been looking for something like this for a while..but I was finding pay site and honestly, I have WAY too many books for that. This site is free. Most of the 250+ books we have here at home are on the list. </div><div><br /></div><div>I did find out that I have a TON of books in the 3.0+ level but not a lot in the .1-2.9 levels.</div>The Mom behind the Chaoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15795515857958994651noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-183504285181023416.post-41939015920630379832009-07-14T23:16:00.004-05:002009-07-14T23:30:17.266-05:002 Down and 2 to Go...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjzpxJLvl4tldRS4EJA4CuT3ZRHlMwswwHwmOIeXrrUgQeyRBruy9q2Cc-wEETVCnpaDWffUvISQYI3__1_oL_6YODLandhLcFXW9yjAqwmJfabpu2ll4YlBLYqBhMazBc-rMCBNcJg0Y/s1600-h/GP638-02.jpg"></a><br /><br />Tonight I finished 2 of the 4 boys first 2 weeks of school! <div><br /></div><div>I am hoping that the younger 2 do not take quite as long. </div><div><br /></div><div>I am holding out on the reading part for my oldest yet. </div><div><br /></div><div>I am still new to the whole "dyslexia" thing and am knocking around a few different options that hopefully will be a little easier to decide once we have the final testing results.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>I do want to tell you about something a friend of mine <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">way</span> back from the 3rd grade introduced me to..it is called a COINULATOR...and I just ordered one. I am so excited and I think it will be a wonderful fun little addition to our Math center!! You can find out more <a href="http://www.autismshop.com/store/product.php?productid=25356&cat=275&page=1">here</a>!</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjzpxJLvl4tldRS4EJA4CuT3ZRHlMwswwHwmOIeXrrUgQeyRBruy9q2Cc-wEETVCnpaDWffUvISQYI3__1_oL_6YODLandhLcFXW9yjAqwmJfabpu2ll4YlBLYqBhMazBc-rMCBNcJg0Y/s200/GP638-02.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358539334428793794" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 178px; " /></span><div>It appears that this year will be a more multi-sensory approach to schooling that we have taken in the past! I know that all the boys will benefit from that in their own way. I am stocking up on goodies as I find them..pipe cleaners, colored sand, sand paper, jump ropes, therapy balls and sit discs, fidget toys and bean bags.</div><div><br /></div><div>Well, it's late and I have to get to bed..my eyes are drooping fast! </div><div><br /></div><div>But before I go, I would love to know what is your favorite educational toy?!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>The Mom behind the Chaoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15795515857958994651noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-183504285181023416.post-29553993261768892482009-07-09T18:55:00.003-05:002009-07-09T19:08:30.105-05:00WOW...what a slacker I am!! I have so neglected this blog and I feel bad about it.<div><br /></div><div>However, We are starting up here in about 2 weeks and I PROMISE..to do a better job.</div><div><br /></div><div>Here is the latest stuff we are working on:</div><div><br /></div><div>1. Skipper has been in to see an educational psychologist and we have some answers to a lot of questions. The biggest is that he is Dyslexic (okay that is not the biggest but I think it is the easiest for me to get my mind and heart around right now). That makes <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">so many</span> other things make sense now. So we will approach the new school year with that in mind. (With the possibility that the 5 year old is also dyslexic).</div><div><br /></div><div>2. I found the <a href="http://www.workboxsystem.com">Workbox System</a> at the end of last school year and we didn't have a lot of time to get that flowing. We will use that again this year and see what we get. I really liked what we saw with it and am excited to get going again with it.</div><div><br /></div><div>3. This year I will be schooling 3 kids. I am still looking at it and praying it over and looking for what God knows is best for the boys. In some ways the Dyslexia diagnosis actually makes it a little easier..sound silly? Well, in my head it makes perfect sense!!</div><div><br /></div><div>4. Scout's mom has Alzheimer's. Has had for a while. We <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">found out</span> about 3 weeks ago and <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">they</span> told us over the 4th of July. She is not doing great and of course things are going to get worse. We are trying to decide if we feel God is calling us to move back there or if we are suppose to wait a little bit.</div><div><br /></div><div>Tonight once I get the peeps in bed, I will work on the planning side of our year and let you know what I find!</div><div><br /></div><div>Thanks for stopping by and I promise to be a better homeschool blogger this year!!</div><div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>The Mom behind the Chaoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15795515857958994651noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-183504285181023416.post-83152970342886420822009-02-08T15:38:00.005-06:002009-02-18T10:16:15.860-06:00Storage idea<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-PksO2JV9MUrea_YYszFoVmTZFy-KMMphZipt-J4lHG8iR1_Q8Z6mDJJuPi1S9wO_XquHM0UcY9x8fwGiRej1pjq587ZncRirMFe3L74zkty0H-w4Uu3nM_BgWYmBwGzb0qFjZZwRHH8/s1600-h/IMG_1491.JPG"></a><br />I have found this to be a great addition to our storage needs for our art supplies. It is a hanging shoe holder. It is just the right size for the baby wipe boxes. <div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-PksO2JV9MUrea_YYszFoVmTZFy-KMMphZipt-J4lHG8iR1_Q8Z6mDJJuPi1S9wO_XquHM0UcY9x8fwGiRej1pjq587ZncRirMFe3L74zkty0H-w4Uu3nM_BgWYmBwGzb0qFjZZwRHH8/s320/IMG_1491.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5300547820983766626" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span></div><div><br /></div>The Mom behind the Chaoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15795515857958994651noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-183504285181023416.post-4044618030229521612009-01-19T08:52:00.003-06:002009-01-19T09:09:29.141-06:00Tot SchoolHere are a few pictures of last week in tot school. Skeeter loves puzzles and right now his favorite is the "fishing pole" puzzle.<div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy9Up9qTlupJ75PJqDIv1cElqqLat3h8TYQK7v7krS12kBVxNOWWf5viziwR5TbYV3tnrWjPBR49Eodlfe2poVoR8A27B2NJhJzl5nBSj8XHnNP6Udlzz4KMT4sTs-9hoM3EydwEdadss/s320/IMG_1481.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293020859421790082" /></div><div><br /></div><div>We created a few quiet toys for him to play with while the big boys are working. They are small water bottles. One is filled sparklie pom-pom balls, one is filled with straws and another is filled with small pieces of pipe cleaners. . He loves to dump the contents out and put them back in. This was a way bigger hit than I had expected.</div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9DIOukfBJSC2KtPiS6ABWsVZ9MFVFZ7LvURmumISwfPfGju1MwlZ49RpKo6sfdsRbSOdBnc9PSzwOFqr9P14dfBmDWXWXAx3fXAsyU77YybJ866z2fbfViGsZ9PZfpCbonk3zu8cGBDc/s320/IMG_1475.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293020853453117586" /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVmsMq8x9imhSPiqpzTfymJ0zFZYhBaq0J_qkf_Z0xEVitRScEJtee1J6fje-3tjK7OiIXSe0YKGtJwCzGmOV7lEn3ipEinCIH6tGEIhIvYXrA3Pa7tWIcN4xVbepJ1HGh0d-BV7qeEFo/s320/IMG_1477.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293020830376676242" /><div><br /></div><div>The last few pics are of Skeeter working with his color wheel. His job is to match the objects. He is having a hard time with his colors. He is not very consistent. He really likes the color wheel and he also has a shape wheel.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisGrWcpr9TB688Lf3CGrcfX6zLP7njEdwKExTh-WDfXQTnoItzR8iZkrZmVE_kNlSAtd-IwY4fbSFLvwHfbhLKBgB8Fq2oADAQJOPNeH8q02eEuAhoy-7NXvV0TDGHerfaPKXF81EWndY/s320/IMG_1490.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293020815745612626" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></div>The Mom behind the Chaoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15795515857958994651noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-183504285181023416.post-14117467298551210902009-01-09T19:17:00.003-06:002009-01-15T23:44:06.772-06:00When it's time to change...Did you hear the Brady bunch singing as you read that?? I did! <div><br /></div><div>You know the episode where they are the singing Brady Bunch and Peter's voice has started to change and the family pulls together and teachers Peter to embrace the changes that are happening to him. Yeah...that is what I heard when I typed that. <div><br /></div><div>So either you are with me here or you think I am a complete goof!</div><div><br /></div><div>You decide...no pressure what soever!! </div><div><br /></div><div>No pressure at all!</div><div><br /></div><div>Okay, I am done.</div><div><br /></div><div>Back to my original thought.</div><div><br /></div><div>We have made a curriculum change here. I am calling an audible and bringing in a new game plan..</div><div>We are now a Sonlight family. We will stick with the Math, handwriting and spelling..but will add the history, reading and science portions. I also really like how organized it all is. And, I want desperately to be more organized. So we will see how it goes! I really like what I have looked through so far and I LOVE all the literature that is used.I also bought a few new puzzles for Skeeter to do during his "tot school" time. </div><div><br /></div><div>I am hoping to add more about our tot school...but It seems like things completely get away from me and the moment has passed when I think about getting pictures. Oh well...figuring out how to school 4 is a learning process for me too. Hopefully I can get some stuff posted before Monday.</div><div><br /></div><div>Happy Weekend!</div><div><br /></div><div> <br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div></div>The Mom behind the Chaoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15795515857958994651noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-183504285181023416.post-88855316254448503062009-01-06T21:45:00.006-06:002009-01-19T18:50:16.048-06:00Tim Tebow was a homeschooled kid...<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 21px; "><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">This I did not know...I was so impressed 2 years ago at the Heisman ceremony by this young man. I think he has a deep presence about him. I am also very proud to be able to point to a "famous homeschooled kid" for my boys!! Thank you Mr. and Mrs. Tebow!! Thank you.</span></span></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">#####</span></span></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 0px; "><a title="Oklahoma" href="http://www.newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CANONICAL=Oklahoma&CATEGORY=STATE" onclick="s_objectID="http://www.newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CANONICAL=Oklahoma&CATEGORY=STATE_1";return this.s_oc?this.s_oc(e):true" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; text-decoration: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">......</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Oklahoma</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"> does not allow homeschool students to participate in public school athletics. While the state remains in the majority, the number of states allowing homeschoolers to play has grown to 24.<br /></span></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">And the movement might get a boost from its highest-profile poster child ever —</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"> </span></span></span><a title="Tim Tebow" href="http://www.newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CANONICAL=Tim+Tebow&CATEGORY=PERSON" onclick="s_objectID="http://www.newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CANONICAL=Tim+Tebow&CATEGORY=PERSON_1";return this.s_oc?this.s_oc(e):true" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; text-decoration: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Tim Tebow</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">.</span></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">The </span></span></span><a title="Florida" href="http://www.newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CANONICAL=Florida&CATEGORY=STATE" onclick="s_objectID="http://www.newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CANONICAL=Florida&CATEGORY=STATE_1";return this.s_oc?this.s_oc(e):true" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; text-decoration: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Florida</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"> quarterback was the youngest of Bob and Pam Tebow’s five children, all of whom were homeschooled by their deeply religious parents. Because of a Florida law that allows homeschoolers to play sports in the public school district where they live, Tebow played football for </span></span></span><a title="Nease High School" href="http://www.newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CANONICAL=Nease+High+School&CATEGORY=ORGANIZATION" onclick="s_objectID="http://www.newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CANONICAL=Nease+High+School&CATEGORY=ORGANIZATION_1";return this.s_oc?this.s_oc(e):true" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; text-decoration: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Nease High School</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"> in </span></span></span><a title="Jacksonville" href="http://www.newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CANONICAL=Jacksonville&CATEGORY=CITY" onclick="s_objectID="http://www.newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CANONICAL=Jacksonville&CATEGORY=CITY_1";return this.s_oc?this.s_oc(e):true" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; text-decoration: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Jacksonville</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">.</span></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">There, he won a state title and national acclaim. A scholarship to Florida followed, and Tebow has since won a national championship and a </span></span></span><a title="Heisman Trophy" href="http://www.newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CANONICAL=Heisman+Trophy&CATEGORY=MISC" onclick="s_objectID="http://www.newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CANONICAL=Heisman+Trophy&CATEGORY=MISC_1";return this.s_oc?this.s_oc(e):true" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; text-decoration: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Heisman Trophy</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">.</span></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Thing is, had Florida not enacted its law in 1996, Tebow wouldn’t have played football in high school.</span></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">"None of them would have played,” Tebow’s father once told the </span></span></span><a title="The Florida Times-Union" href="http://www.newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CANONICAL=The+Florida+Times-Union&CATEGORY=COMPANY" onclick="s_objectID="http://www.newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CANONICAL=The+Florida+Times-Union&CATEGORY=COMPANY_1";return this.s_oc?this.s_oc(e):true" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; text-decoration: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Florida Times-Union</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">. "We weren’t going to back off our commitment to homeschooling just to go play football somewhere.”</span></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">There are options for homeschoolers in Oklahoma, including several homeschool teams in numerous sports. While those programs are growing, they are still limited.</span></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Could that change?</span></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Could Oklahoma one day have the Tim Tebow Bill on the books?</span></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">########</span></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Read the entire article at the </span></span></span><a href="http://hslda.org/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Homeschool Legal Defense Association</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">website.</span></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 0px; "><br /></p></span>The Mom behind the Chaoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15795515857958994651noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-183504285181023416.post-72854131591656866432009-01-05T13:28:00.004-06:002009-01-05T13:39:24.529-06:00Today is Monday, you know what that means......Today is Monday and around here that means it is Muffin Tin Monday...or in the case of today...Muffin<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"> Cup</span> Monday!<div><br /><div>They boys LOVE this and it is easy and fun. They eat their lunch served in muffin cups/tins. The smaller 6 cup size is what we use. They get small bite size "snackie" type foods. I do things that do not require cooking. Today was actually "not so nutritional muffin cup monday". Oh well, you can't win all the time! </div><div><br /></div><div>Here is a picture of lunch today...actually Cooper's was a little different because of the gluten free thing...and Riley didn't want sunflower seeds.</div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirj4RDjnx9fdHiyfKNux80-__o6osLgqcSp4Q1vgy3yxOuylaT5WTGT1-HrRBHONZh2W4EFQV01TH_I1ufbPyvQenwdt1j4aRQxD99cZwYSVXG6t3IiZA7mfBH_WBX6Q2XoyDY0-0JDCw/s320/IMG_1461.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5287895498315103026" /><div><br /></div><div>They do enjoy it and get very upset if Monday comes and goes and they didn't get to do the tins!! <br /></div><div><br /></div><div>P.S. This is so not my idea...lovingly borrowed it from another homeschooling mom!! ;O)</div></div>The Mom behind the Chaoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15795515857958994651noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-183504285181023416.post-77670556792519967052009-01-03T10:56:00.003-06:002009-01-05T13:28:14.762-06:00Chaos...total chaos!<div style="text-align: center;">EEK!!<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">My school room is a total mess.</div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzu2C8MtuMiUPfnZVuZGiMpFmdT9rLxjRwN843Z5fCpzQlLwp96CXfXZ8MfTbfxTWMda0yhyKdz6JyFzLh4GFBQ3ybW9tyFVSQ5-xHmF_i3aEw6SgRzijvKnst5-gxiktkIjXmhBARtvk/s200/IMG_1449.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5287892294657051810" /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Evidently it is demolition day...</div><div style="text-align: center;">this is going to put a kink in things for a while!!!!</div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjES8xdsqUaf6dJBnb_HbmkVoyahwXroO1pjf7M69PEStYS98lKcVBAtAMlGyx5w-GDQ-95NkizxYlBEB_HAOvUfhHxXtgFuONbWZlvU0p9OXI-2Ktm6KwYGndZ9baYkLcbLP8uucs_8T4/s200/IMG_1448.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5287892279213825122" /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy1_gvpWyBcquyP02_LyqDM85GvG7XumydvESODYFESoraOPSFn6bZ5xzk5XsZAx9fZRLKdYA2okNlQ6JiMWnPmAGGAj16Cv8TfVNFCF83dhsDwAg-x3MuFASg_6J28pMp4rDa_W6qpUA/s200/IMG_1453.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5287892289804826066" /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>The Mom behind the Chaoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15795515857958994651noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-183504285181023416.post-53169813387841394442008-12-30T12:50:00.006-06:002009-01-15T23:43:24.464-06:00A Little BackgroundFor those of you who may not be familiar with our situation...I shall now spell it out for you-and you too will be convinced we are a little crazy!! :O)<div><br /></div><div>I am a stay at home-homeschooling mom. This is our 4th year to homeschool and our first year to have more than one kid officially schooling. Skipper is in the 3rd grade. Scar is in kindergarten. Scrappy is our pre-k and Skeeter is our tot school boy.</div><div><br /></div><div>I have a degree in elementary education with an emphasis in early childhood. However..that means ZIP when it comes to homeschooling. I have friends with varying degrees or no degrees and they are AWESOME teachers!! </div><div><br /></div><div>We are an interesting household. Skipper has Tourette's Syndrome Plus. Scar has Celiac Disease, Scrappy has Motor Apraxia- with resolved verbal apraxia. Skeeter was tongue tied, but that was fixed in June of '08. He does take speech still though.</div><div><br /></div><div>We have a total of 10 hours of therapy a week. All the boys receive at least one type of therapy. I have a love-hate relationship with it! It is very necessary around here, but it really does cut into our days!!</div><div><br /></div><div>I am a pretty laid back schooling mom. I try not to get too worked up when things cut into our day. We are lucky enough that our therapy location has a large waiting room and on Tuesdays and Thursdays, you will find the boys on the floor or the table working there. We have a school room at the house. You can find kids all over the house when it comes to school time. </div><div><br /></div><div>We use an eclectic curriculum. I really pick and choose from what I like. We use Alpha-Omega LifePacs for Language Arts and History. The Alpha Omega Horizon series for Math. We use A Reason For Science and A Reason for Spelling, Shurley English, Handwriting Without Tears, Explode the Code Series and Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons. We also have started doing lapbooking and we love that. It has been a fun addition for us.</div><div><br /></div><div>We have a giant schedule on our kitchen wall...but it is only a guide. We have flexibility within our day for sure. We school 4 days a week with Friday's off. We also go year round. We take breaks as we go. It keeps them busy...because if I have learned only one thing...it is that bored kids get into trouble!! :O)</div><div><br /></div><div>My plan is to document what we do around here. Give some ideas for you to work with and to have a way to look back at what the boys have accomplished. I will also link you to some other site that have a lot of good ideas! Hopefully you will be able to find some fun things you can do with your own-even if you don't homeschool. </div><div><br /></div><div>We are still on break and will start back next week! So come back soon and see what we got going on!!</div><div><br /></div>The Mom behind the Chaoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15795515857958994651noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-183504285181023416.post-13694631933613144102008-12-29T11:32:00.000-06:002008-12-29T11:44:12.936-06:00New BlogI am planning to move my homeschool stuff over here. I want to do a better job of documenting what we are doing in our home. Hopefully this way I will not bore others on my <a href="http://myboysmom.blogspot.com/">other blog</a>, who could care less about homeschool posts!! :O)<div><br /></div><div>Stick around...I think this is gonna be good!!</div>The Mom behind the Chaoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15795515857958994651noreply@blogger.com1