The Lowdown

Things have been absolutely crazy in my world lately. It's been super busy, but in good ways with one exception. We had to make an unexpected trip up to Indiana because Chris' dad had some major complications after a surgery and we weren't sure if he was going to make it or not. Thankfully, he is doing much better and is almost ready to go home finally.

The boys are growing up so fast. My oldest will be 11 very soon and has started 5th grade. I don't feel old enough to have a fifth grader. I remember some very significant events from when I was in 5th grade. That was the year we moved to Wisconsin. I was not happy about that at the time. In January of my 5th grade year was when the Challenger accident occurred. Back to my son, he has started piano lessons. I think in a few short weeks, he has surpassed anything I've ever been able to do on the piano. He is very musically gifted (gets that from his dad). He may be starting percussion in band as well. Little one, who is in 1st grade now, is mathematically gifted (like me). He just started 1st grade and is about halfway through his 2nd grade math book. Amazing. He has also become very taken with the game of baseball. He started playing last fall because his friend played. He hated every minute of it, played in the sand, and would not do anything he was supposed to. Then, time for spring season came around and he announces that he wants to play again. He found out that they gave away trophies in the spring. He was much improved. I still wasn't sure if he would consider playing again. A few weeks ago, he saw a sign on the side of the road advertising football. He said he wanted to play football. OK. I start looking into various football programs. I find one that will fit, and ask him if he is sure he wants to play football. "No mom, I want to play baseball again. I want to get more trophies than (my friend)." No, he is not competitive at all.

I am working with some other homeschooling families to open a new non-traditional private school. The paperwork and fundraising for that has kept me very busy in between schooling and extracurriculars. Glory Bound Academy should be sending out enrollment packets starting next week. If you would like more information on that, please email gloryboundacademy@gmail.com.

Getting chosen to review homeschooling products has been such an unbelievable blessing. When we order our curriculum every year in February, we usually just get the basics. Occasionally throughout the year we have the opportunity to get something a little extra, or try something new. But since July we have been receiving all sorts of new things to try, and having a blast doing so. If you haven't seen the reviews, please go back through the history and take a look. I have definitely found some great products to add to our regular shopping list. We will be making some changes for now, and the future. I think our favorite product that I've written about so far is the Grapevine Studies. The boys are still enjoying that. Though we are taking a break this week because I am waiting for new ink for the printer. There are a bunch more things that we are working on and some we need to get started on. I will give you a little sneak peek into what we are doing. We started a new history book yesterday and so far really enjoying it. We have a nutrition course to get started on. We have five lapbooks about various topics and I am trying to decide which one to do before I have to write the review. We have a very interesting writing program that we started with my oldest one this week. Writing and spelling has been something that he has struggled with. So if this helps even a little bit, it will get a glowing review from me. It utilizes some great classic literature. This week we are working with a passage from "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea". I can't wait to see what will be delivered next.