Just Keeping It Real.

I will say many positive things about home schooling and gush about all that we accomplish, but in an effort to keep it real today I must share the truth. TODAY WAS A NIGHTMARE!!! The morning began fabulously with a great family devotion time around the table after a family breakfast of cereal but it went a wry shortly there after--actually with the first assignment and rock bottom would hit about an hour an a half later, not to mention, ripple effects for the rest of the school day that ended at 4:00! I am so glad Daddy was home this morning to step in and lend a disciplinarian hand. We can often struggle with the "I don't want to's"among our students and today was one of those days. However, in the end, after a day filled with struggle and sternness, scripture and prayer, wrinkled foreheads and angry eyebrows, we accomplished all of our work and it was done to our "forced" best ability!

These days come in the home school classroom--let's be real, they come in the public school classroom and the private school classroom as well. There are just days where you want to pluck your nose hairs out for fun! So, I am not discouraged, lets count them, three days in. God is teaching me to be consistent, patient and joyfully stern. Is there such a thing? Yes, there is! I did it today. Would you believe that every time that I thought we were getting into a school groove today the dog would come and bark and growl at me! Seriously! It was just ridiculous. I am looking forward to the afternoon school-free and some needed time dusting myself off in time to discuss prayer at church this evening. Have I got some stories about prayer for them tonight!

On a positive note, Alora made this cute little Curious George monkey out of a toilet paper roll and some cut outs. She really enjoyed being crafty today.

Here Andrew can be seen working on his math-u-see by watching his five minute dvd lesson. Also seen, are the mounds of books and teaching manuals in the background.

Here is a quick tour of our classroom. We added this new shelf in the room to give me a cart to store our supplies. It was discarded last week by a friend. One man's trash is another man's treasure!
Alora and I placed her Phonics Museum cards on the wall today. Each letter has a corresponding fine arts piece that has something in it that starts with the letter. We are learning some really catchy songs to go with our phonics rules and letters. Today, Alora and I were rock stars as we sang into our marker microphones! She thinks I am crazy.This is the other wall of our little one room schoolhouse, complete with calendar and dry erase board. We don't have a ton of room but I like to decorate as best I can to make it feel like a place of learning.
My final thoughts on the day---Onward Soldier, there is a battle to be won! It is a tough road and not all will survive but if you choose to gird up and march with patience and perseverance you will accomplish victory over ignorance and will, sin and strife, writing and math! Rise up, All willing to wade through the miry pits and Live, I tell you...Live in Victory!!! I am feeling so dramatic these days!
I heart being a drama queen!