Why We Homeschool

There are many reasons why we homeschool.  It's like picking a needle from a haystack to give one reason.  But for the sake of this post, I will try to specify the reasons we have chosen it for our boys.

First, though, let me say that, yes, homeschooling is hard. It definitely requires preparation on my part, a rigid schedule to make sure school happens everyday, and the integrating of learning into every aspect of our days at home.  Though I may complain occasionally about the work (it's like raising kids, we love 'em, but that doesn't make 'em any less effort!) it's a decision that I stand by.

Reason #1:  Educating my children is my responsibility

This is the primary reason we've chosen to homeschool.  I don't feel like it's anyone else's responsibility to educate my children.  Both because the weight of that is on my shoulders anyway, and because if I'm the one doing the teaching, then I know for certain what they're learning.

I feel that the future of these bright, beautiful boys is in my hands.  It's an awesome responsibility, and one that I don't take lightly.

Reason #2:  You can't beat a two-to-one student/teacher ratio

Even here in the bush, class sizes can near twenty students per teacher. So having only two pupils (thus far) my numbers couldn't be any better.  I am able to afford the boys one on one time when necessary, change lessons to meet their needs, and alter our schedule if they're sick or over tired.

Reason #3: Flexibility

As stated in reason #2, the flexibility that homeschooling allows is really alluring.  When the kids are sick during the week, we can make up school time on the weekends.  When I was out with pneumonia, we picked up the slack once I was better.  We're able to adjust our schedule as needed (school in the morning, school during nap time, school in the afternoons) and it really works for us.

Reason #4: I became a stay-at-home mom so I could spend time with my children

I find that the older the boys become, the more I want to be their primary influence.  Because of that, and my desire to maximize my time with them (especially with the twins, since I missed out on so much of their first two years) I love that we are able to spend our entire days together.

And finally, to address the irony-- I know my husband is a school teacher. And in fact, I worked in an elementary school for six years before I became a full time mom.  So I do believe in public education. I believe in the good it can do.  It isn't the choice for our family right now, but it may very well be at some point in the future.

***

I am still finding my way in terms of schools of thought on homeschooling.  There's Charlotte Mason, Unschooling, Classical... Thus far, we're following the kindergarten guidelines set forth by the state of Alaska, using different curriculum I found throughout the summer in Washington.

The most important piece of our kindergarten curriculum has been, by far, Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons by Engelmann, Haddox & Bruner.  Last year we did pre-school, and we worked tirelessly on learning letter sounds.  It's amazing to me that less than a year later, they are reading.  Just two nights ago they read their first "real" (non school) books to Josh and me at bedtime.  Logan read No David by David Shannon and Jack read I Am Sharing by Mercer Mayer.

Josh had his arm around me as they read, and he gave me a squeeze, whispering in my ear, "You did it!"  His delight in our children and their ability and his faith in me and my teaching buoys my spirit and makes me feel so proud of what we've accomplished this year.

***

Two things I really enjoy about homeschooling are doing arts & crafts, 

as well as science experiments.

Recently we've grown crystals,

and the boys painted frames for their bedroom.

***

But by far my favorite part is doing journals with the boys every morning.  They get to choose whatever they want to draw, and now they are even able to "guess & go", writing down what they drew.

Logan's:

Jack's:

I love watching these boys grow.

I love seeing them learn.

I love witnessing those lightbulbs flickering on above their sweet tow heads.

Homeschooling, like anything worth doing, is challenging.  

But the rewards are totally worth it.

trains

Sunday  mornings I sleep in, and Josh gets up with the boys.

In September I woke up and this is what I came downstairs to...

Those boys are so lucky to have such an awesome daddy.

And I'm so lucky to have such an awesome husband!

Thumper the Dog

We have been lucky to have neighbor dogs the last two years.

Last year we had Angel, whom the boys (especially Wyatt) adored!

And this year we have Dusty, Sadie & Thumper.

This is Thumper.

He is so sweet, always his tail wagging, and so gentle.

The boys all love him!
***
Don't forget to post your questions (here in the comment section or on Facebook) about life in rural Alaska, as I plan to get the answers post together this weekend for publishing next week.  What are you dying to know, people?!?

Where Is Daddy

 This morning felt oddly quiet without Josh around.  The boys all came & snuggled in our bed before I got in the shower.  Then we feasted on cereal downstairs together and finished getting ready for the day.  

We did school, had lunch & spent some quiet time doing reading while Wyatt napped.

At different points throughout the day the boys have asked where Josh is, when he'll be home and if they can call him.  I assured them he is fine, just stuck in bad weather in another village, but safe.  

~

I just got a text from him that he's on a plane bound from Mountain Village for Pilot Station, and then eventually Marshall.  The boys (and I) will be so happy to have him home!

On her own...

We knew this week was going to be crazy.

Josh had a meeting scheduled for Monday in Mountain Village

(a 25 minute plane ride away)

which is where our district office is.

He is also needed for training Thursday & Friday in Mountain,

leaving him home with us for only Tuesday & Wednesday.

Then the weather rolled in.

And Josh's Monday evening charter home was canceled.

Luckily, living in the bush, you learn to be prepared,

so he has everything he needs to survive the night away from home.

And he's extra lucky that our best good friend Susan lives in Mountain,

and doesn't mind the company.

We miss you, babe!

In the mean time,

this mama's on her own!

***

I am putting together a "Living in the Bush" post and would love to answer any questions you might have. Feel free to leave them in the comments section, email me, or leave a comment on Facebook.  I look forward to seeing what you want to know! 

Tent

For Valentine's Day the boys got money from two of their beloved great grandmas. 

They decided to pool their money and buy themselves a tent for the playroom from Amazon.

They also picked out plastic Swiss Army knives,

which, as you can imagine,

have provided hours of entertainment!

They also got a fake campfire, which is actually a small nightlight, and they used it to set up a campstove.  They made (wooden block) stew, a camping classic, and the next day when Jack said he was making dessert and I inquired what it was, he rolled his eyes like that was the stupidest question ever and said, his voice dripping with disdain, "Chocolate souffle."

I don't even know what that is!

Budding Photographers

Last weekend I was sitting in Josh's easy chair reading, 

and when I looked down, this is what I saw:

Wyatt had been attempting to take pictures with my camera, 

and when he couldn't figure it out on his own, Logan jumped in to help him.

And then he took a few pictures

(mostly of the messy rug & Wyatt's potty chair)

and gave it back to Wyatt

so he could take a few pictures.

I love watching them when they are totally immersed in an activity.  Where they don't even notice or acknowledge my presence.  This was one of those times.

Three Big Boys

Jack has been super into making things lately.

Cars, robots, computers...

His imagination is endless. I love it!

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Lately we have been struggling with the twins trying to parent Wyatt. I can't tell you how many times a day I say, "Don't parent! Let me parent! I've got this parenting thing down. I don't need your help!"

---

This little one is not content to be stuck in his high chair all the time anymore.

He now requests (often) to sit at the table for snack and meal times.

I often acquiesce and he gives me one of his priceless grins as he digs in.

---

I have been really enjoying watching the boys at Saturday Social.  Surprisingly, Logan is more outgoing, telling kids his name, and jumping in to play with them.

Jack takes longer to warm up, and I often find him just watching, like his mother.

But by the end, all three of the boys are in on the fun, running and screaming, chasing their friends around the gym.

I love seeing their friendships blossom as time passes.

These boys are really growing up!

Conversations with a Five Year Old

Bedtime tends to be the time when Logan really opens up and shares with me what he's thinking about.  I tuck his brothers in and return to him just before I leave the room to give him one last hug.  This is when it begins. Our deep conversations.

Last week he was talking about having children.  He told me he wasn't sure he wanted to have any children.  But as he was speaking he changed his mind.

"Well, I'll have one of each.  I guess.  But what should I name them?"

I suggested Bailey, our favorite girl name, and he said no.

I suggested Hadley and he liked that one.

I said what about Hadley Rochelle, after mommy? He made a face and said no.

Maybe Hadley Renee after Aunt Roxanne's middle name?

"Yeah, that one!" he said excitedly.

"And I'll name the other one Henry.  Like me."

So my future grandchildren will be named Henry & Hadley if Logan gets a say.

Then he asked,

"What if I stay little and you die?"

I told him, "Daddy will take care of you.  It would be sad, but you would be okay.  But mommy is healthy and isn't going to die for a long time."

---

Another night we were talking about living in Wasilla some day and Daddy buying us a house there.  He asked, "Will there be closets in our house in Wasilla?"

And I said, "Yes. Why?"

He said, "Because I have the perfect idea. That's where we can keep our toys! Oh, and I could finally get my imaginext robot dinosaur!"

And when I told him Wasilla has stores and a movie theater, he said, "Oh good. We can invite Roxanne and Ferris and Milo to come to the movies with us."

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{Moses Lake Cemetery :: August 2013}

 Last night this is how our conversation began:

"How come when we go to the dead place, you know the place where all the dead people go, how come we can't step on their flat things?"

I responded, "It's called a cemetery, and well, you can step on them, nothing will actually happen.  But those are their name plates, their gravestones, and they are important to their family, so we don't step on them because it's not respectful."

{pause}

"But I don't understand. What do they do under there? When I die what will I do?  I know there aren't any toys under there."

I explained that when you die your body stays in the ground, but your spirit, who makes you who you are in your heart, goes to heaven to be with God and Jesus. That nothing bad happens there and it's wonderful and fun.

{Josh's baby sister Margaret's grave}

Then he asked,

"How come there were baby ones at that dead place?  Why do babies die?"

I said that I'm not sure why babies sometimes die.

"Does God make them die?"

"Well, I don't know, but when they do die, God takes care of them. I know that for sure."

"Well, I'm not going to die for a long time. Not for 2 thirties. Maybe not until I am one-zero-zero... But then I will be old. But I don't want to have a mustache.  I will shave mine off. And I won't have black hair."

Then he asked,

"How did Jesus die?"

"Some people killed him," I responded.

"Why?"

"They thought he was a liar.  They didn't believe he was God's son."

"But how could they not know God is real? They're grown ups!  Of course God is real."

---

After that he asked,

"Why are people fat?"

"Because they make bad choices like eating unhealthy food and not exercising."

"How come they make bad choices?"

"Maybe because they don't know better."

"But come on, they're grown ups!"

(His faith in grown ups is inspiring!)

"Well, maybe their moms didn't teach them," I said.

"Yeah, maybe they're dead," he reasoned.

***

I absolutely love talking to Logan. I love hearing what he thinks, what he wonders, what he worries about. I love to see things from his perspective. It fascinates me.

Logan is my justice keeper. He wants everything to be fair. He wants his brothers to listen, follow the rules and wait their turn, even if he's not willing to.  He constantly surprises me with his physical affection, and melts into a puddle of love if I hug him, squeeze his hand or kiss his head randomly.

He enjoys doing certain chores around the house.  Particularly cleaning the toilet, putting dishes in the sink, and windexing the windows.

He can play independently for hours at a time, making sound effects & calling out for super heroes.  He adores his Imaginext toys, loves all the Home Alone movies and his favorite show lately is Princess Sophia which surprises me.

Logan does amazingly well in school.  He is a hard worker and super smart.  His reading is really smooth and he always seems surprised when he reads an entire sentence on his own. Like he doesn't believe his own ability. 

If I could change one thing about Logan (for his sake and mine) I would make him a sleeper.  He would have such an easier time following directions and making good choices if he were getting enough sleep at night!

 He fell Tuesday afternoon, smashing his face and glasses on the stairs.  Then while I was trying to adjust his glasses back to fit his face, I busted the ear piece off, despite using a blow dryer to warm it and needle nose pliers as recommended by our optometrist.  Wednesday Josh tried to use a saudering gun to reattach it, but wasn't successful.  So yesterday morning I called our doctors' office (the second time in as many months) to request another set of glasses for these crazy boys of ours.

I was really upset with myself when I broke them, but Logan let me off the hook. "It's okay, mom," he said, "I forgive you. I know you didn't mean to do it." He was so sweet, even as he was on the verge of tears knowing he wouldn't have glasses for the next few weeks while we wait.

The good news is that both of his lenses are fine, so the price of these glasses was nearly 2/3 cheaper than Jack's replacement pair.  The frames should arrive in the next two weeks, and I'll slide his lenses in, and his sight will be restored.

After spending nearly $500 on glasses in the last two months I am suddenly not looking forward to having all three of our boys in glasses next year.  We're going to go broke giving these guys vision!

This morning I asked Logan what he wants to be when he grows up.

He looked at me and said, 

"I have no idea."

I guess his future is wide open!