Homeschooling!

Never ever ever EVER thought I would be homeschooling.  But, here we are, about a month into it.  I probably won't update this at all regularly, but since this is a trial thing, I thought I should somehow keep track of the ups and downs.  Why not here on my little blog?

So far, I say it is going great.  I still feel like I can't fit everything in and I know I need to do some things different, but overall it is going well.  I just take it day by day.

Yesterday, we went for a walk.  First, we had gone outside at Maris's suggestion to work on our projects at hand:  water coloring book for Maris, spelling for Macie.  Then, I took the opportunity to use the driveway and do some form drawing exercises.  That digressed into chalk drawing and hopscotch.  I was still OK with that b/c hopscotch is an important part of Macie's PT stuff.  Now to the walk....  I decided to have Macie practice her numbers in Spanish while we walked.  She has 1-10 down  and has for years.  But it is 11 up that is not so great.  I was about to yell and scream (thankfully, I did not.. an amazing thing for me) but I held in my frustration that she COULD NOT remember 11 to save her life.  Or 20 or 14.  But, anyway.  The walk ended.  We went on with school.  Later that day, I was drilling Macie with addition flash cards.  About 1/4 way into it, she started answering in SPANISH!  Even 11!!  Not 20, but that is OK.  So, WOW.  It is small victories like that that make me feel like it is going well.  And, I can forgive myself a little for letting the rest of the day lead me, rather than feel like I am in control of it.

Victory #2  (or positive #2):

Today, after we dropped Maris off at her Nature School class, Macie and I went for a walk thru the park.  We saw two bobcats!!!  We watched them climb down to the river and get a drink, hide in the grass and stalk something in the river bed.  It was really cool!



Bye for now!

Llano's Birthday

So much for keeping up with the blog.  And, my last post about looking forward to summer?  WHAT WAS I THINKING?  It has been the worst summer ever (weather-wise). 

Anyway, this post is about my sweet Llano.  13 years ago this weekend, while visiting the Llano River in Llano, TX, we found her.  If it had not been for Sara, who saw the poor thing laying at the side of the river and went over to pet it, I would not have her today.  I wouldn't have even thought of going over to the dog, much less feed her from our ice chest and put her in my car.  She was going to take her to San Antonio to the humane society.  If it hadn't been for john... John said I should keep her.  With every intention of just keeping her for a while, I agreed.  If it hadn't been for Tina.....Then, Tina, my roommate, also fell in love with her.  She agreed to let her stay (even though we weren't supposed to have pets at our Austin rental house).  She even kept her for a month and took her to work with her while I was finding a place to live in Arlington.  The rest is history.  When I finally did find a place in Arlington, I lived in some scary duplexes just so I could have a yard for her!  The person who didn't even want a dog, much less an inside dog, found myself letting her sleep in my room at night to protect me!  Now, she is in all the time.....

Sounds very melodramatic, but it is amazing how much a dog can change your life!!  I love her and she is so much a part of our family!  Even Granny calls her her "Granddog".  She is a very special dog.  Happy Birthday Llano!!

Looking forward to summer

The weather has been unseasonalbly cold around here, which is nice.  Even though I dread the100 degree days that I know are coming, I am still looking forward to summer.  Macie and Maris are both tired of school.  Ha!  As we get closer to the end of the year, it has been more difficult to get Macie to do her homework.  It is not difficult for her, she just doesn't want to sit and do it.  Tonight after several requests and much whining, she finally grabbed her homework and went behind the tv.  This is a favorite hiding spot for the girls.  She finished her homework in no time flat.  She usually drags it out over the week, because it is due on Friday.   There behind the tv, she did the WHOLE thing in record time, no whining!  Couldn't believe it.  John was even watching tv part of the time she was back there.

We do not have a busy schedule at all compared to most of our friends.  But, summer will bring a much more relaxed time.  I am looking forward to doing all sorts of things with the girls.  Maybe more moments like these:

Thanks Aunt Sandy for the lemonade stand kit.  She made $4.55!!  Macie started mixing it up before I could help her.  She mixed the entire Country Time container into that little pitcher.  Too funny.  Needless to say, it was WAY to strong and I had to dilute it.  Llano may not be too excited about Macie and Maris having more free time.  They never have been too interested in dressing her up.  I don't know what this was all about.  But, it was bound to happen sooner or later.  My poor, sweet Llano.  She is SO OLD.... 13 1/2 years.  The vet says her kidneys are going bad. 

Not sure why I decided to post today.  There have been several "blog worthy" topics I could have talked about.  Hee hee.  I am tempted to do a recap like I did in the fall.  But, I am sleepy and I want to read my new Clean Eating magazine.  My next post could be months away.... but maybe I will get back into it... Maybe not.