school days

I can not believe we are down to only 4 1/2 weeks left of school. This second semester has flown by and been such a turn around from first semester experience. I still am confidant we did the right thing by bringing Jaxon home to home-school part time in the afternoons. I have seen such a difference in his personality, emotions, and his over-all happiness. It's been a good, good thing for our family. I have been learning so much about myself, my kids, our family, and just a little different view on life in general with this new routine. I love the extra time I have with my kids in the afternoons and it's been a challenge for me to plan and be prepared to stay ahead of my 8 year old boy. Everyday is a lesson for us as we do life together and I'm just so thankful to have this season to do "school" and our everyday life this way. Like any teacher and student though, we are all itching for the last day of school to arrive and shout "summer break"! Makes me think of the book "When It's the Last Day of School" by Maribeth Boelts...we just might explode ourselves here when May 30th rolls around :) Who doesn't love summer break!?!?

 One of the fun perks to home-schooling...field trips. We visited a few museums this winter/spring and to my surprise each of us really enjoyed what we found and learned. I am a hands-on learner and being able to see things helps me understand so much more. It's been fun to connect fun field trips with what we are learning in the books at home!

 Another perk of homeschooling a little... when the kids are overly tired, I just push school-work back a bit and let them nap :) They wake up much more ready to learn and tackle the days assignments!

 A favorite of mine as a part-time home-schooler...classrooms OUTSIDE! The weather has been awesome for just this too. We've spent many afternoons on the back-deck or in the back-yard swing doing our work together.

 Of course, when you only have one teacher and one student (or two when Austin joins in), you get your work done much faster then a typical classroom setting. Do you know what that means? Yup, more time to enjoy wagon rides and park play time! 

 Carson has been a real buddy and taken good naps almost every afternoon since we started schooling at home so we can finish our lessons each day. SO thankful for that transition!!

And every so often we get a fun guest teacher :) This day it was science with Miss Patterson!

We've got a few big topics to cover this month and then we will be winding down. Summer is just around the corner and we can't wait!