Progress Report

Eden's progress report showed up in the mail on Saturday. As I opened it I realized what it was and I was instantly nervous. Here it was...the proof that homeschooling her was a good idea or not. Actually that's not totally true. Even if her grades weren't great I still feel that Eden found her confidence while being home schooled. She would never have been able to discover that if she had been harassed at school for the last three years. But, I still wondered, "Did I teach her enough to tackle these Pre AP courses?" Right now she has all B's and one C. The C is in Drama. Duh! Why??? That should be the one she has the best grade in. We talked about it last night and I encouraged her to realize that drama isn't just an easy course. It too needs serious consideration. Just because you like it doesn't mean you're good at it. It takes paying attention, taking notes, studying lines and being prepared the same as any other class. It too shows up on your transcripts for college. She agreed. I also made a vow to myself that I'm simply going to run through each course in the afternoon to prompt her memory of what she did that day and what needs to be done that night. I'm trying not to help too much, but help enough. I want her to learn to be responsible for her own things. It's really important to learn before college.

All of this being said here I have to be proud that she's getting all B's in the hard courses. It proves to me that not only did homeschooling bring her more confidence in herself, she did grasp what I taught her and I was successful in my endeavor to get her ready for high school. I almost didn't graduate high school myself. Not because I wasn't smart enough I was lazy and had no motivation. I wanted to do other things. But having never gone to college I felt judged sometimes by others about homeschooling. I would lose my confidence, especially when I got to a problem I couldn't solve alone. But I look back now and realize that I didn't let my lack of knowledge stop me. I found the right resources and used them to help me along. We muddled through it together figuring things out side by side. I think it helped Eden to realize that I don't know everything and that I have to work to get the answers the same as she does. It also helped her to see that I wouldn't simply give up. I was going to do all I could to find the right answer and how I came to that answer. When I would finally get it right I'd be overjoyed. It was a celebration. I really loved figuring it all out with her. I miss that.

I really do miss having her home with me. It's different not seeing her all the time. Because her homework can be so time consuming and with having club meetings after school some days and youth on Thursday nights our time is limited. I think we appreciate each other a little more. I know I appreciate all the help she used to lend with the little ones. I have the good life before. I never took advantage of Eden being here, but I would leave her in charge from time to time so I could run an errand. But it's time to start loosening that grip. Let Eden become who Eden will become. Because she's so smart, talented, personable, beautiful inside and out her possibilities are endless.

School Days, Gardening, Canning and fun!

We are well into our school days now and all seems to be going great! We are having such a great time learning all about the seasons, shapes, number and even our letters. We've learned the magic two colors do when they meet each other. Our school fairy loves to visit, play tricks and leave gifts on our nature table during the week. Last Friday Jade and Jaeger received little bean bags to play with.





Joey has been reviewing some math and writing skills, just getting warmed up for all the neat things we will learn this year. Yesterday we made jalapeno pepper jelly. It's so delicious. Joey put on his gloves and helped cut and clean the peppers. He measured the sugar and vinegar and did all the stirring. I handled the canning, but he watched carefully to see how it was done. We learned a lot about keeping thing sanitary and the difference between sanitization and sterilization. It was a fun lesson. The nicest part is the peppers came from the garden we planted together last spring.

Basket of items from our garden

Jalapeno pepper jelly to share

We've taken video of the little one saying their abc's. It's so cute to watch them try to say the lmno part. They also count really well. See the videos below.