Some pictures of what we learned today:

Adakai is learning to tell time.

Making our own Title of Liberty flags. 

(Information on the Title of Liberty can be found in the Book of Mormon, Alma chapter 46.)

Shopping!

Ok, it's decided. I'm going to do full-out home school next year. K12 was our foot in the door, but it's not what my kids need. Their schedules are way too demanding and don't work well with our large family. So, I've been shopping for curriculum. I found a lot of stuff I like on Confessions of a Homeschooler. The mailman just brought me my first bit of history. Yay!



And, we'll be going with Apologia's Zoology 2: Swimming Creatures of the Fifth Day for science.

Garden Update

After clearing out the garden plot, moving sprinkler lines, leveling the ground, tarping it off, and laying cinder blocks. Looks pretty good. We're in the process of bringing in the soil now. I'm super excited!

Green Thumbs?

So, I've never had a garden. I've always wanted one, but for some reason or another, it's never happened. This year, however, my girls and I are planning one. I've researched quite a bit of information and share with them. Some of the plants we want to grow need to be started inside, so last Saturday we tested out our green thumbs. We planted onions, scallions, and hot peppers in petepots and we'll transfer them when it's warmer outside. The girls loved it. I keep forgetting to take pictures while we're doing our activities. I'll get better with that.

It's been a while since my last post. You could say I've been a bit busy, but that would be an understatement... I am loving that school is working around our schedule though. Between my school, dance on two different days at two different times, girl scout meetings, and my girls scout leader meetings, I was really worried how we would get everything done. I have learned to plan ahead and design lessons for on the go.
Here are some of the things we've been doing:

Kari's math pizzas and Lexi's outline of Balto

Kari's hundred's chart

Art Portfolios

One thing that I am learning that was very unexpected is that I love having my girls home so I can be with them. Before it was home from school, homework, dinner, bedtime. I am actually able to spend time with them. I feel like I'm actually fulfilling my role as mother. 

Lexi's manicure

Kari and Lexi learning to cross stitch to take up time while I'm helping the other girl and she is waiting for me.. just one more thing they can do to keep them off of the TV. 

We did it! We survived our first week of school at home. I had a major break through with Lexi on Thursday. While doing her math lesson I could tell she was getting tired of it and starting to not pay attention, so I said, "How 'bout we put this away and get out some art instead." Her eyes got really big and she smiled like she was getting a big present. She was so shocked that I was okay with her switching right in the middle of a subject. They don't let kids do that at her other school. I think this could be part of the reason why her math and reading levels were falling. She wasn't getting the attention she needed, and she was having to wait for the slow kid in class so she was getting bored. Plus she has a hard time sitting through something if it's too long.
Kari is doing really well also. She is so proud to announce to anyone who will listen that she is in second grade history, art, and science. We're still in the process of skipping through the lessons she already knows, but I'm confident that we'll find the right spot pretty soon. Her favorite subject by far is art. She's always been my kid with the crayons and paper in hand wherever she goes.

Cozy History

History lesson while wrapped up in a cozy blanket.. now that's my kind of lesson!

Well today and yesterday went much more smoothly. I've figured out how to get materials ready for the next day more efficiently, and we've learned how to get one girl started on the computer while the other one is doing book work. Kari's teacher also suggested moving her up a grade for history, art, and science so we're only doing one lesson in those subjects instead of me trying to juggle two. The girls have liked it like that so far too because they are pretty competitive. They are paying attention more so they can be the first one to answer if I ask a question.

Today we had an art lesson on portraits and self-portraits. They really liked this one; especially Kari. She's my little artist.

First Day

Well, today was our first official day of school here at the Kelley home and all I have to  say is, "Can I have a do-over?" Things did not run smoothly at all! Let me back up and say that this weekend was extremely busy, stress filled, and emotional.

My eight year old was baptized on Saturday morning. Thank heaven my mom had one of my kids spend the night because we were rushing to get out the door and having one less to get ready was a life-saver. Then my 2nd oldest had a birthday party in the afternoon.

Sunday was my baby's blessing. It wasn't until one in the afternoon, but by then it was time for my toddler's nap. That was interesting. Afterward we went to my in-law's for a dinner and over to the church for the viewing. By the time we were done there, my toddler was beyond exhausted and was ready to go home.

 My mother-in-law passed away last week so the whole family had to help with funeral arrangements. I had to help deliver the life sketch so that was in the planning as well. Her funeral was yesterday.With all of the bustle, my toddler didn't get his nap yesterday either and his internal clock was so off that when we put him to bed at seven, he thought it was nap time. Needless to say, we were up with him until 4 a.m this morning before he finally fell asleep in bed with us.

And then this morning; total chaos.. nursing baby, screaming toddler, two class connect sessions, preschoolers fighting, and two very excited, impatient girls ready for their lessons. I'm just thankful that I've done this learning coach thing before and know that there's always an adjustment period. I think despite all of the craziness, we did rather well. Only the girls' vocabulary and phonics are left for tomorrow.

I AM SO LOOKING FORWARD TO STARTING OVER TOMORROW! ;)

Because of the funeral on Monday, we decided to start our lessons today so we don't have to play catch-up. My girls were so into their lesson that they didn't even notice that I took a picture. Like the messy hair? They loved not having to rush in the morning. We didn't get hair done until after lunch time. We probably won't do that every day just because my kids need a good routine, but it was nice without the stress today.

Computer

Our K12 issued computer just came today. The kids were pretty excited to see all of the boxes. I took some time to get it all set up (minus the internet connection). Now we're just waiting on our books. YAY! Here are some pictures.

 

 

Adakai also took some time to enjoy our keyboard without the girls trying to take over. 

Darn Cats!

So we had a bit of a mishap with our nice star chart that I just made. Our Christmas stuff is stacked by the closet door so it can be taken back under the house. Well one of the cats decided to climb up there and managed to rip our chart off the door. I know it was a kitty because there are some very incriminating claw marks on the construction paper.. My kids weren't too happy.

Yay! Our calendar and easter eggs arrived from Oriental Trading today. I spent a couple hours after the kids went to bed hanging the calendar and making some fun manipulatives.

Here's our calendar with just enough room for a big map poster that will be next to it:

 And these are our fun easter eggs. There is an alphabet match up for Sarah and Adakai, a cursive match up for my older girls, and some multiplication review eggs. 

The answers are in random order so they will have to twist the bottom of the egg to find the right answer.