Our "Normal" Homeschool Day

Home Education Week continues.

Describe yourself, your family or one of your children. What is it like to be home educated in your family? What is “normal” for you?

Normal-huh? I can't quite put my finger on it, but I'll give it a good shot.

Tim rises and shines around 4 AM. He does his stuff and then treks across our backyard to his office. He works best EARLY. However, the "teacher" requires a bit more sleep (especially now that we have a brand new king-sized pillow top Simmons Beauty Rest--major thanks to our church family). So I rise and shine around 7. I have struggled with the discipline of getting up early (5-6 AM) to have some "me" time. But the family has discovered that when I get enough sleep, our days are much smoother and Mom is much happier. One happy Mom equals six happy kids.

I make breakfast, help the little ones get dressed, and start the laundry while the kids get busy on their chores. Breakfast is usually served around 8:00, at which time we call Papa home from the office. After breakfast, Tim and I like to play a few games of cards while the kids finish up their chores and get ready for school. After I lose 3 games of cards, Tim heads back to his office (or whatever he has lined up for the day) and we get going on school.

Justin (17), Matthew(13), and Cayla(10) work independently, most of the time. Justin and Matthew both do school in their rooms. They have their own desks...their space. Cayla likes to work out at the kitchen table with Lucas(6), Katie(3) and I. Although if it gets too loud she will move into the living room or onto our bed. Larah goes down for a nap around 10 and this is the time I do school with Lucas and Katie.

Lunch is between noon and one. Then it's clean up and back to school...until school is done for the day. Sometimes the kids have after school chores, sometimes they don't. I try to have a family, sit down dinner and more often than not, we succeed. Every night before bed, we have our Family Time. During Family Time we close out one day and begin a new a day by reading the Word, praying, memorizing the book of Hebrews, and worshipping. It is the absolute best part of our day. There is nothing like being together as a family at the end/beginning of the day with our Lord.

That pretty much sums up our "normal" school day. Now here is a brief summary on our "normal" kids.

Justin has committed to finishing two years in one. He plans on enrolling in the Running Start Program at our local community college in the fall. This will give him college credit while still obtaining his high school diploma through Christian Liberty Academy. Most of his days are spent huddled at his desk working continuously on deadlines. He is doing exceptionally well with his subjects. Huge improvement over last year. You go, Boy!

Matthew is totally self-motivated. He, following the lead of his dad, likes to get up early and get his stuff done. It really bothers him to have down time, time where nothing is being accomplished. Matthew (AKA: MADDOG) completes all but one subject by himself...he and Cayla do history together. In his free time, he likes to take his sisters on walks, jump on the trampoline, and hang out with friends.

Cayla loves school. She is awesome at math and reading, but her passion is drawing horses. She is wonderful at teaching the younger kids. She and Katie are creating a book from old magazines, alphabet letters and numbers. I call Cayla my little mom because she can do practically everything I can...from changing diapers to cooking a meal. She is a very kind, sweet and beautiful 10-year old. I love to listen to her pray. She is her Papa's Princess.

Lucas is well into 1st grade. He has finished the first four Explode the Code books, is on lesson 70 in Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons, and is almost done with Saxon 1st grade math. He goes to a friend's house each week for science and really enjoys the hands on activities. Lucas likes school but would much rather be outside playing or holding his baby sister, Larah. He is an incredible big brother.

Katie is our energetic preschooler. School for her consists of recognizing letters and numbers, doing her workbook, and doing "logic" with Papa. She loves to color and glue craft sticks together. She can come up with some pretty amazing pieces of art that she likes to give away. Katie is her Papa's Puddin' Pie.

Larah's days are full of hugs, "no's", walks, toys and anything else baby. She takes one nap, usually 2-3 hours. She loves to watch for her Papa to come through the back door. She plays peek-a-boo and "Where's Larah?" Although only 1, she is a huge part of our homeschooling day. And Larah is her Papa's Punkin' Noodle.

There is a description of our "normal" day with our "normal" kids. I'm sure to a lot of people we are not so normal, and that's okay...I wouldn't change a thing. I consider myself to have the best job in the world...caring, nurturing, teaching, training, discipling and enjoying the best kids in the world.