After 110 days of homeschool, I figured it was appropriate for me to share about our school year.  

Technically, this week was Spring Break from our Classical Conversations Community.

I know, early, right? I won’t be complaining when we are DONE in 6 weeks, though!

Nature SURPRISED us big time with a warm day that resulted in a family walk.  And sadly, the Oily Engineer decided that most of the Christmas lights needed to be taken down — all except for one lone pole on our front porch that happily remains a candy cane.

In an effort to support the notion that Spring Break should be fun, we celebrated Presidents’ Day with Cupcakes.

Navigating Dyslexia

I’ve never had a problem, chucking a curriculum when it simply wasn’t producing the educational success I wanted.  However, recently I had to do that with some educational material that I adore.  Really, it’s probably the relationships that I formed with that company that make me feel like a traitor.

This past summer, we had two of our kiddos tested by an sweet educational psychologist (is that what they are called?)

It proved what I already knew:  that one of our sons (Gabe) was blessed with out-of-the-box, dynamic thinking that is commonly referred to as dyslexia.

Fun Fact:  There are so many heroes all throughout history that had dyslexia — it’s pretty inspiring. 

I knew that he sometimes struggled — but it wasn’t ALL the time.

I knew that I had the skill set to help him — but I just needed the right tools.  So really, I paid money for someone to tell me what curriculum to use.  It was money well spent.

I became vulnerable and began processing our journey with other moms on Instagram.  Through that community, I discovered two game changers for dyslexics:

1. Learning Alley — a website that has thousands of audio books that volunteers have read aloud and unlimited listening time (you do need a “diagnosis” letter to gain full access to the website).  Gabe has really grown confident being able to listen to a book while he reads it and loves the freedom he has to “read” as many books as he wants SUCCESSFULLY.
2. The Logic of English — while this curriculum has a lot of books and materials . . . wozers.  I am even learning new things after all of these years.  But more on our journey later.

Because The Logic of English also helps improve short term memory, I decided to have both boys use it — which is super easy because you can teach multiple levels at the same time!

Talk about multitasking!

A First Grade Update

Meanwhile,  Naomi is enjoying the new app from All About Reading and is close to finishing All About Reading Level 2

She also finished A Reason for Handwriting A and we launched into Book B.  I think I am going to have her join in with us on The Logic of English Cursive.

We are also in the final lessons of Math U See Alpha and her Beta book just arrived yesterday!

History and Science

The perks, though there are many, of having my husband retire from his engineering job to work at home with me, include him joining us for history and science.  I think his penchant for random facts compels him to join us in our studies.  

After 4 years of enjoying the Mystery of History, we are taking a break to snuggle on the couch with Beautiful Feet Books Science and History curriculums.  

I am loving all of the reading.  I think the kids are too.  Even our eldest is joining us — which we aren’t requiring as his Classical Conversations Challenge B work is all encompassing and all-consuming.

Other Learning

I taught a make-up class which seriously cracks me up.  But yes, you can teach an old dog new tricks.  However, I’m finding it’s fun to be girly and there isn’t an imaginary club I thought you had to have a membership to.

I’ve been using Savvy Mineral makeup, have taught multiple makeup classes, found it easy to use, and am preparing for the day Naomi wants to highlight her natural beauty.  Let me know if you’d like to know more or maybe I can even do a makeup class on the blog!

And yes — those two pictures are me — within 10 minutes of each other!

And we re-instituted family game night!

Life Skills

The kids have been a huge help this week.  We have been able to mail out over 200 packages and stamp close to 1000 postcards to people who have chosen to use essential oils and Savvy makeup in their homes!!!

Did you know that you can pay your kids?  Genius.

What was the best part of your week?

Mine — honestly cupcakes and getting that massive mailing done.

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