I knew my job of 12 years would disappear this year, so we took the leap.  PA has very strict homeschooling laws and requirements (still crossing my fingers I did everything right).  I am running a full curriculum of History (including PA history), Civics, Math, English, all the way to Fire Safety.  He also has to provide the school district a Standardized Test since he is in 3rd grade.  At the end of the year I will drop my portfolio off at the school, pray I did everything right and pray some more that my son is benefitting from homeschooling.

Halfway through I can say he is so much happier.  There is not any anxiety trying to fit in or dealing w/ a peer he does not get along with.  That would consume Derek.  We do not have flourescent lights bothering his eyes. A friend tapping a pencil and distracting during a test.  It is a much more controlled social environment too! We have gym weekly with a very large homeschool group – over 50 children! We have field trips and monthly Enrichment Days.  Derek and I are starting a lego club for our homeschool group.  I am thinking he is more socialized now than he was before. 

For education, I have chose not to buy a boxed curriculum.  I chose to devise my own based on a few books (Well Trained Mind and What Your Third Grader Needs to Know).  This has been very tough.  There are general Standards that your third grader should study the Mayflower.  In my opinion, they should start history in the beginning.  The beginning of man, the Nomads.  So I have been running a double track of History and of Science.  We do weekly chemistry experiments but, also study plants, animals, etc.  This spring we will be planting a garden and that will be part of our studies.

I love homeschooling Derek.  It’s a ton of work.  More than any other job I have had.  More than photographing a wedding, more than being a Business Analyst for a top telecommunications business.  Every Sunday I draw up our weekly lesson plans only to have some of them fail or not be completed.  But he is happy, he has someone to answer his questions, he is learning, and he can do his math in pj’s.  Life is good!

Our classroom at Christmas.

Christmas is 2 weeks away and I am so done shopping!  WOOHOO!  I have never been done this early and am loving the chance to focus on baking, family goodness, volunteering and homeschooling.  
I have been scooping up every possible digi kit that contains a snowman too! Like this:  Chocolate Frosted Snowflakes from Scrapmatters (artist Stolen Moments)

And This from Sweet Shoppe Designs: Kwismis by Lauren Reid

So much talent out there! Bring on the snowmen!

Back Mountain Furniture is the designer of the bowl.  Dave is the most amazing furniture designer.  I give him my quirky ideas like a bowl to put children in and he makes this beauty out of wood.  I will post a picture of the bowl by itself along with the bed and frames he has made for me in two days.

First up is Will who just turned 2.  Will is my nephew and such an awesome kid!  Soon he will be a big brother.

Next up is Nathan who is 4.5 months.  Such a sweetie!  Not a peep out of him the whole time.

This one should be on a canvas:

Last is Joshua.  I have been photographing Josh since he was a couple of days old.  I love this kid!  I have never heard him cry, he just smiles and smiles.

I’ll have another post tomorrow with two families……….

I am limiting the number of sessions I do this year for the holiday so I will only be doing these sessions in Oct. and possibly early November.