"Not Ready"

I just have to say as a mom being the teacher to my children is one of the most rewarding and frustrating jobs anyone can ever have.  I love seeing the light come on in my kids eyes. Sometimes getting to that point can be very frustrating. In all the years of homeschooling (since 2003) I learned to see that frustration can also mean something else.

Frustration can also mean "Not Ready" 

What do I mean by not ready. When I am getting frustrated with my kids cause they are not catching on to a concept that I have taught over and over and over AND over again.

 I have to step back and ask are they being lazy or just not ready yet?

I pushed Biggun to hard in the beginning with his reading fluency and vocabulary word and I am seeing it has effected his attitude toward school. I have not pushed so hard with Honey and let her move at her own pace. I am seeing the fruits of my labor.  Granted she is not at the same level as others her age, BUT I am NOT comparing my children to others. She is moving at a perfect level for her. Instead of fighting with her and getting frustrated I have let her move at her own pace. I have been pleasantly surprised since we started up after the holidays. That things that where not clicking are starting to click. 

I might have this homeschooling down by the time Moose graduate in 2026!

Lil Momma Strouse

My Mom's Special Day

The first weekend of the October, my sister, mom and I went up to my dad's grave site for my Mom's birthday.  I know that sounds strange but when we asked my Mom what she wanted to do for her birthday she said "I always spend it with your Daddy." We made a long day of it, just us girls. It would have been nice if my Oldest Sister had been there, too. After we had shared some chocolate in honor of Daddy, my sister and I had a surprise up our sleeve for our mom.

My sister told my Mom that her husband had programed in a "back roads" way to go back home into her GPS.  This sounded like something my brother-in-law would do, so Mom did not question it.

What we where actually doing was going to a Butterfly Farm called The Greathouse Butterfly Farm

Since my Mom LOVES butterflies and she had mentioned in passing that Daddy was supposed to take her to one for her birthday this year. My Sister and I decided to surprise her.  Boy was she surprised, even had tears in her eyes. 

(look close my sister has a butterfly on her head)

The Greathouse Farm is a very educational place. It is great for field trips for those new to homeschool or the veteran homeschooler.  They have a great educators programs. 

We even saw a butterfly with HEARTS on its wings. This was a sign that Daddy was there and approved of our special day together. 

Lil Momma Strouse