This past weekend while I was scrap booking Andrew had big plans with his Bibi. The cub scout group planned an overnight trip to, one of our favorite places, the McWane Center! Being a Saturday night, it would be impossible for Joey to go so Andrew and Bibi headed off with their sleeping bags, air mattresses, change of clothes and chocolate for some serious Grandad/ Grandson bonding time. This was a very exciting trip for the both of them.
That night I was able to have a lovely dinner and dessert with my mom. We do not get time like that often so we really had a good night just talking and eating cheesecake from the Cheesecake Factory! MMMM! About nine o'clock I received my first text from Bibi. It simply said, "help!" I knew he was having a blast! Around 11:00pm I received another text that said, "Help, my only source of nourishment is chex mix and koolaid!" This was further confirmation that Bibi was living it up with the cub scouts! He and Andrew had a blast sleeping under the DaVinci display, taking in the Imax, making science experiments and enjoying the many hands-on-activities that are there.
Upon returning home it was SAT week. I signed him up back in the Fall and this would be the week that he would test. One of the ladies at our church offers the testing to home schoolers in our area and they all come to our church to test. I tested 7th and 8th graders while Andrew was tested with the 4th, 5th, and 6th graders. I promised myself ahead of time that I would not be discouraged about how he did since this is our first year home schooling. I also promised that I would not let him be discouraged if he did not do well. I do not believe that the SATs are the end-all test and therefore we would only take them to give Andrew the experience of taking the standardized bubble in the responses test. He has taken them before so this would be nothing new for him. After his first day he was tired. Science had proven to be a tough subject on the SATs. I knew that it would be because we are taking a different approach this year and immersing in one particular facet of science--astronomy. Next year we will attack botany and zoology but he was definitely not ready for some of the questions that were asked.
The next day was the Life Science section. When I asked him how he did he said, "They didn't ask me one question about Ancient Egypt. It was all about America!" I laughed to myself and then explained to him that we are just taking a different approach to history and the SATs don't follow that approach. I also explained that history doesn't revolve around America and that we would eventually see history move that direction but not this year. As long as it didn't affect his report card, he was good!
Today was the dreaded math portion and it proved to be the worst of all! It really took him a long time to complete and he was thoroughly confused when it moved to division and fractions. We have only briefly touched on these because we have really tried to grasp multiplication before we move on and we are just not there yet. He worked so hard though and had a great attitude throughout. I am so proud of him and the way he carried himself.
Upon returning home it was SAT week. I signed him up back in the Fall and this would be the week that he would test. One of the ladies at our church offers the testing to home schoolers in our area and they all come to our church to test. I tested 7th and 8th graders while Andrew was tested with the 4th, 5th, and 6th graders. I promised myself ahead of time that I would not be discouraged about how he did since this is our first year home schooling. I also promised that I would not let him be discouraged if he did not do well. I do not believe that the SATs are the end-all test and therefore we would only take them to give Andrew the experience of taking the standardized bubble in the responses test. He has taken them before so this would be nothing new for him. After his first day he was tired. Science had proven to be a tough subject on the SATs. I knew that it would be because we are taking a different approach this year and immersing in one particular facet of science--astronomy. Next year we will attack botany and zoology but he was definitely not ready for some of the questions that were asked. The next day was the Life Science section. When I asked him how he did he said, "They didn't ask me one question about Ancient Egypt. It was all about America!" I laughed to myself and then explained to him that we are just taking a different approach to history and the SATs don't follow that approach. I also explained that history doesn't revolve around America and that we would eventually see history move that direction but not this year. As long as it didn't affect his report card, he was good!
Today was the dreaded math portion and it proved to be the worst of all! It really took him a long time to complete and he was thoroughly confused when it moved to division and fractions. We have only briefly touched on these because we have really tried to grasp multiplication before we move on and we are just not there yet. He worked so hard though and had a great attitude throughout. I am so proud of him and the way he carried himself.We took a break from our regular schooling this afternoon since it took him 5 hours and we went to Wendy's for chicken nuggets and milkshakes! The rest of the afternoon we are resting and enjoying the sunshine.
If I had it to do all over again I would not have signed him up for the testing this year, and waited until next year but now that we have completed this year, I think we will wait until 6th grade to take them again. I am still whole-heartedly convinced that home schooling is for us and that the education he will receive will be what is best for him. God has been good to us and I have treasured this year with Andrew and Alora.
Where was Alora over the weekend? With her daddy! She had a blast being spoiled by her favorite man, Daddy! They had soccer practice, a big game, in which Alora defended the goal three times keeping the other team from scoring, ice cream, Mario Kart and sleeping in Daddy's bed. They had some very special time together just the two of them.
I love these kids and I am so glad they are mine! God is a loving God who knows just what we need and I am forever thankful for this special time in their lives, just being kids. He has so richly blessed me beyond what I deserve! I am looking forward to all the He has for us in the future.
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