School Is Here!!

Today is the beginning of yet another school year! WOW! Is summer break over all ready?  The kids are excited to start however I know that that excitement will not last long.  This years funds are extremely short so we had to really shop on a budget.  Somehow we were able to get all kids school clothes with the help of major sales happening and a blessed woman donated some gorgeous clothes to my older girls!! Thank you Lord for that!!

In our new house we have a pantry.  It’s a small room built off of the garage.   I decided to claim a couple shelves for school supplies.  It seemed that when the supplies were available to the children they would get a new spiral notebook weekly and pencils were gone before you knew it! Things were just picked though leaving just a few items where I would need to replace them often.  I am still finding half used or barley used spiral notebooks from last year.  This time it will be a little different.  The rule of the pantry is….no kids allowed in the pantry unless mom or dad sends them in there for something.  This really helps keep things from disappearing and I have a better idea of what is in there since it is mainly myself who gets items out or sends kids in for something.

School Supply Shelves In My Pantry

The other day I took kids out to the pantry two at a time and we went school shopping.  They told me what they needed and 9 times out of 10 it was there.  I think for my high school girls there were only about 2 or so more items that they needed from the store.  It was great and it felt so good!

This year our schooling looks different from last year.  My two 15 year olds will be going to the locale high school. They are sophomores. We live about 1/2 mile from there so they will be walking.  My husband and I really prayed about this moment.  Last year they started out at the locale high school but only lasted about 6 weeks.  I ended up enrolling them in Connections Academy so they were able to be home with me.  By doing this they were able to deal with issues of their past and not worry about the daily drama of high school.  This year I believe it will be different.  They are mentally ready to walk through those double doors with Jesus by their side even though he is not welcome there.  Yes, we have had many talks about their walk, their words and there morals and how it is crucial they do not compromise.  My girls actually talked with me and told me of how they are feeling about this and as their mom could not be more proud of my ladies!!!

My 11 year old boy and my 14 year old boy are going to be doing Connections Academy.  We did this last year and they like it.  Yes it is demanding, yes it is structured and yes there is accountability.  All those things sound negative to a homeschooling mom however this is what I need to make sure my kids get an education.  I need that structure, I need that accountability and I like that it makes my children think about what they are studying.  They need that challenge.  They both did very well last year and didn't bat a eye when I let them know we were doing Connection Academy this year.  In fact they were so happy!!!

Joshua's Work Center

Nemo's Work Center

We have their work centers in the house almost complete. They will add to it as they go through the year.  I put up helpful tools to aid them as they work through their assignments.  For example I posted up on both work centers the parts of speech and listed an example of those.  Also I posted what their teachers require in each subject. 

My 5 and 6 year old will be attending the locale elementary this year.  The 5 year old is in kindergarten.  She is so excited!!! She has orientation today but actually starts on Monday.  She is very disappointed about that!!  My 6 year old has been approved for the MAPS class.  Little K needs special help beyond the few hours she spends with the aid at the school.  The MAPS class is a self contained classroom.  They have their own bathroom and playground area. They meet the children where they are.  Little K has many different struggles.  Hopefully she will grow by leaps and bounds this year with the concentrated help.  These two little ones are still considered foster children so they want them to be in a public school this year.  Next year I will decide if I should homeschool them or not since the adoption is almost final.  Praise the Lord!!!

Happy Schooling!!!!!!