On the Agenda

Before our school year is over, I sit down and figure out what in the world we're supposed to be doing the next school year. You would think it would get easier as the years go by. Yeah. I wished it worked that way. There are a couple of used curriculum sales that I like to hit in May, so it's good to have a plan. Only, we know how well I follow a plan. At one of the sales, I actually put back all of the stuff I had picked up for the boy's literature and changed tacks. The big girl (oh my heart) won't be schooling with us this year. The boy and the baby are at the stage where we can do several subjects together, so that helps. Here's what I did:

• I already know that the boy and the baby girl are going to have bible and German together. I'm not sure what we're using for bible yet, but I do know that we'll finish an Acts study we started towards the end of our last year. After that, it's wide open. German is Power Glide and we're restarting that. Last year was a bad year for foreign language. As in, we didn't foreign language. Ugh!
• The kids will be using Mystery of History, Volume II for world history. I like that it has activities for different levels. I'll be mixing and matching them through out the year. I'm hoping to keep current on the timeline. I think it would be cool to have it around the kitchen and living room. We'll see. The book is huge and just a bit intimidating, so I joined a page on the social network. That has been amazing. I feel much more confident about something we've never used before.
• For literature, the boy will be using a Progeny Press study guide and a Memoria Press study guide. The PP will be Beowulf and the MP will be The Odyssey. It fits in with the time period of the history. I'm a little excited for the boy. These are a different type of reading than what he's used to and I think he'll like the storylines. He'll also be using Cliff's Notes to help with whatever we don't get and to give him some background information. The baby will be using a study guide from In the Hands of a Child for Island of the Blue Dolphin and a Progeny Press study guide for A Wrinkle in Time. I am a huge fan of PP, but there wasn't one for The Odyssey. I have both PP and HOAC for Island of the Blue Dolphin, but I want to get the baby out of her comfort zone.
• Science this year is A Beka Biology. Both kids will be using it this year. The baby will be an 8th grader and she can get high school credit for it. I'm not worried about this one since I taught this at co-op a couple of years ago. This should be easy peasy.
• Grammar is Rod and Staff for the baby and A Beka for the boy. I like both programs but I have to admit that R&S is my very favorite for teaching grammar, hands down. It is clear and concise and I like the way it's put together.
• Math this year is A Beka for both kids. Algebra for the baby and Algebra 2 for the boy. I had looked at a couple of different things for the boy, but went back to A Beka. It's what he's used to and I think he'll do fine with it. The baby will get high school credit for algebra, so let's just start marking things off now! Woot!

So far, we don't have any plans for a school co-op. I'm kind of glad because that frees up some time. We'll be looking at new dance studios this year as well. I think I know where we're going. It's closer to the house than our previous studio and that saves us some time. I'm not sure what that schedule will be like so I need to keep that in mind. Hubby and I decided that we need to get used to a new studio before we commit to a performance or competition team, so that's off the schedule, thank goodness.

I'll wait until we get back from our summer trip before I start planning. You have to know, though, that I am champing at the bit. Lesson planning is one of my guilty pleasures. I am so weird.

Have a great day.

Letting Go

We had huge milestones this year.

It was the big girl's senior year and as of May 20, she is officially graduated!! It was a hard fought battle, but, by golly, it's done. The dance load was huge this year, but that was lightened when we got kicked out. That's a different story for another blog, but you can bet your bippidies, it's coming out (full of angst, jealousy, butt hurt, and back stabbing. I cannot make this stuff up). Her school load was heavy this year. She could have saved herself a lot of trouble, but you know how that goes. Hello, senioritis, it's been a while since I've seen you. We both had a HUGE case of that. We all know the only cure for that is to be done, done, done with school, which was not an option. Here are some pics of our year.

Senior pics. The struggle is real, y'all. I teared up during the shoot and balled like a baby when I got all the pics back. She is so stinkin' gorgeous, but that goes all the way through to her soul. She is kind and generous and giving and loving and funny and intelligent and here come the tears again!!

 



I have more company pictures, but they're on my old phone, darnit. I might just have to do another post. Well, ok, if you insist...

 



My kids can hula hoop like nobody's business. At the kingdom one day, there was a nice cast member handing them out. So my kids took them. And I took this! There was a little girl that said "Mommy, I want to hoop like that!" Me, too, child, me, too.

 

This amazing young lady is one of our favorite people on earth. She choreographed the big girl's solo, gave my kids dance lessons after the big debacle, and found opportunities for the big girl to present her solo. I have so much respect for her and her outlook on life. I will forever be grateful for her spirit and grace.

 



The big girl and her bestie attended a couple of cons this year. Her bestie, A, likes to cosplay and so the big girl joined her. A is Kylo Ren and the big girl is Rey. They were like rock stars when they walked in and pretty much all day. I had no idea what a big deal it would be, but they had an amazing time.

 

 

They also went to Megacon this year and had a huge Lord of the Rings group. The big girl was Arwen, A was Legolas. They also had Boromir, Gandalf, Faramir, and Gimli. Along the way they met a group of guys that were Gondorian troops, so they all took a pic together. That was super cool!

 

 

 

So what else? She had a big role in our Christmas play this year. It was bigger than what we've done in years past and she rocked it. She got her driver's license, thank God! That has been a blessing. She performed at a recital at a friend's studio. She performed in skits at church. I know there's so much more, but I'll be darned if I can remember anything else right now.

 

What does her future hold? So much! This summer she and her siblings will be touring with the New Dawn Singers. If you happen to be in Pennsylvania this summer, message me and I'll let you know where she'll be. She wants to attend a special effects make-up school that's fairly close. She will be auditioning, auditioning, auditioning when she turns 18 because she wants to dance at the House of the Mouse. And later, she'll attend a local technical school to get her cosmetology license so she can work in special effects when she's done with that portion of her schooling.

 

And, as always, her future is bright and wide open! I am so excited to see where the Lord leads her. Y'all hang on. I know this is going to be a great ride!

 

Have a great day.