Life is Changing

   So, I been thinking a lot about my blog and just how much I miss it so I have decided to get back into the world of blogging about our daily lives and back to the way things used to be. My blog was always a security to me and although I have been busy I have truly missed you all and hope to get back into daily blogging.
   So, the beginning of the school year Daisy started at the public school just down the street from us and it ended terribly so once again we decided homeschooling is the way to go. We have her enrolled in an online virtual academy and it is going well, she loves it and we have been able to incorporate al of her special love of Panda Bears into her schooling and  it has been a lot of fun. I can hardly believe how fast she is growing, she will be 7 in July! Seems like yesterday  she was just a tiny baby fighting to live.
   Lilly is turning 5 on the 31st of this month, she is attending a specialized school 4 afternoons a week for children with special needs and it is going well! School has become her place to shine, she loves all the arts and craft projects and knows all of her letters and numbers and can read short words, Her teachers are super impressed with all she knows. I'm excited to see what the next years holds in store for her :)

   It has been a harsh winter in terms of illnesses but I'm quite sure that is due to the exposure to the of the public school system and they're starting to build up an immune system to all the nasty things they have been shielded from in the past. As I type Lilly is fast asleep on the floor while Daisy sits beside her watching Shrek, She has been sick off and on for the past few weeks and missed a number of days staying home sick, I hope she can rest well and feel better before Monday.
   I have a lot to do this weekend (as usual) and the cleaning and laundry seem to be never ending.
   I'm so happy to be back, I missed you all greatly and hope you're having a fantastic Saturday!

Homeschooling

   Its about 11 pm and all is quiet here,the girls are sleeping peacefully,Im listening to music thinking its near my bedtime so I can get up early and get a good start on Daisys school work.We are homeschooling this year so its all a little new to us but we are enjoying it ever so much,just gotta get into a routine...
   We are doing an online program through the public school system and once I get it all figured out it will be wonderful,right now we are still waiting for her books and stuff so its a slow beginning lol yes I was a little late in registering her however Im glad I found this program and they have been so sweet working with us.She has a credited teacher who calls and talks to us a few times a month and is available for questions nearly anytime.
   I can hardly believe my sweet lil girl is old enough to be starting kindergarten!Theyre getting sooo big!

  

Getting Ready for Our first Day of Homeschool

   Tomorrow is out first day of homeschool!I'm really excited to get into a routine and start working on different projects with the girls.We wont have too much of a set schedule this year because Daisy is only 4 and Lilly is 2 1/2.But I do plan to work on all the letters and numbers and see where Daisy goes from there :)  

   Yesterday I was in Target and happened to see their little section of dollar items was full of school supplies,mostly supplies for teachers.I was really excited as they had a Teachers day planner (only $1!) and I had been hoping to find one for cheap so I could document our school year for myself and for future reference.

   I also got some different flashcards,animals,dinosaurs,letters and shapes,and insects.The girls were really thrilled about them.

   I also got paints,finger paints,markers,watercolor paints,crayons,etc all the fun stuff :)

   Its going to be such a fun experience and I cannot wait!

Homeschooling preschoolers

   This year Daisy is 4 so I have decided to start doing some preschool activities with her thru the fall and winter.Nick and I have both talked about the pros and cons of our public school system and although there would be a few huge benefits with sending her to school (head start this year and kindergarten next)we decided that we would home school the girls at least for their first few years and see how it goes.
   I was home schooled for a good portion of my school years by my mum and I honestly felt way more secure and more loved at home than when I later went to a private christian school.For me going to school was basically a bad experience through and through,not only was I teased and made fun of,I was pitted against my family and for years the church/school we were part of ruined my family.There was a period of time when I did not have any communication with my family because they shunned me for stepping out on my own and making a stand for myself and who I was.For saying that I am a human I make mistakes and I don't want to be harshly judged but loved for who I am.
   When I was pregnant with Daisy I was a one on one through the public school district in a special education class.I loved the students very much,there were one or two good paraprofessionals also,however the teacher turned me off from ever wanting to turn my child with special needs over to anyone.I saw children who could not talk get slapped across the face so hard even I was stunned,I saw sexual jokes and comments be constantly made in front of the kids,I saw children be forgotten or left behind,I saw children spend their entire mornings in time out because nobody felt like dealing with them,I saw kids miss school because people fed them foods that they were allergic to hoping the kid would have a reaction and stay home the next day when there was a scheduled field trip.I saw things that nobody should ever have to worry about when their child is in a "safe" place like a school.
   Nick went to public school all through his school years because his mum worked full time and she firmly believes to this day all kids need the socialization that public school has to offer.I do not at all feel this way (neither does Nick) and believe that children should be raised and taught that family is important and that they will always be there for you.We want the girls to be raised not only as siblings but also as best friends.
   We have not told My family nor Nicks of our plans to home school as they are both strongly opposed (funny how my mum home schooled us and then sent all my younger siblings to public school now they believe there is no other way)I'm glad we don't have to face that conversation this year and maybe by next school year we will have dropped enough hints that we wont even have a big argument about it :)
   In the meantime we will be researching christian curriculum's,and working through a daily routine and schedule preparing the girls for the future.We have a tentative schedule for this winter,we will be working in preschool activities such as,letter,shapes,colors,sorting,adding,coloring, painting,nature walks,building snowmen,watching and feeding the birds,etc.Here is what our schedule looks like right now and I feel good about it,not pushing too much just helping them to grow and learn through everyday life :)
   If anyone has a curriculum they love please drop me a note or comment,I would love to hear others opinions!


   Monday   Painting 

   Tuesday   Story and Journal Drawing

   Wednesday  Craft

   Thursday  Baking

   Friday  Handwork,sewing,beads,playdoh,etc

   Saturday  Go out and About,museums,park,nature walk,etc

   Sunday  Family Day