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After a move and several weeks 'off' we had a bit of a rough start to our first week back to school....unsharpened pencils and no pencil sharpeners=DISASTER in a home school! However, now on day three it looks as if we're getting back on track. We're easing into the manuals...waiting to add math, typing, and spanish once the kids and I have really found our groove. Plus, mommy still needs to grade the math work that was done while the kids were with Nana and PawPaw. Overall, it's gotten better each day and I am excited about that! I know we'll still have rough days, we all do, but we're enjoying our learning time. I'm proud of my kids....my oldest is doing something new by doing most of his CTC work independently (and though it's needed and I'm proud, it hurts my mommy heart some too to see it happening ), my daughter and I are connecting with PHFHG, and youngest ds is moving steadily through RME and his Saxon math. It's great, and I just wanted to let everyone know how thrilled I am that we've come back completely to HOD. I'm so excited for the weeks to come.Thanks, Carrie!

InHisTiming - It's so good to hear from you, and I'm glad you're back to settling into a new normal. We had a pretty eventful Christmas break that went on longer than planned, so I know what you are saying about an adjustment period to get back to a routine. We had all 14 of our dc together (14 between my 2 sisters and I) for over a week. While it was a great family time together - it was honestly exhausting. Most of us had colds or some type of virus by the time it was all said and done. Of course after 24/7 for days upon end with the cousins, getting back to chores and work took some time for both me and my dc. I'm so glad we have chores and school time at home to help our dc not be so selfish - if they were left to their own demise, they'd be all too willing to play all day and never do much else of anything! And on top of the usual busyness of life and holidays - you had a move and a baby not long ago too - oh my! I'm celebrating with you that you are feeling life is settling down now. It's also a great milestone that your dd is doing well with independence in school. Thanks for checking in - missed ya!

In Christ,
Julie

It's great to see you again!! I've missed you! We're hitting the books again this week, too. (And are on blizzard #3 as I write ...I don't mind being snowed in to a cozy house occassionally, but I do like to get out once in a while!!) Oh well, snow days are good for getting a lot done inside here. And come April when we're wrapping it up we'll be glad we stayed on track!

If we get another blizzard here I just might have to hop on a plane and come find you in FL!
Kathleen

inHistiming,

It's good to see you! It sounds as if you've had your life very full this year! I'm so proud of you for getting underway in spite of everything that you have going on.

I know what you mean about being excited to see your son branching out into more independence with CTC, yet having it be bittersweet to see him growing up. We had the same feelings here with our son in CTC. Yet, I remember the years and years I've spent with him holding his hand to get him to this point, and I realize that without moving him on in independence a bit I'd never have the same time to devote to my younger kiddos coming up (and it is definitely their turn).

So, I pray that as your year goes on, you'll find the same peace with CTC that we have as our kiddos have grown into their schedules. I am loving the time spent with my third and fourth little guys this year, and also finding a good balance with my older two still doing grammar/dictation/writing/some math/ geography/Genesis study/DITHR with me. So, they're not always as independent as it seems!

Blessings,
Carrie