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Once there was a little boy.
He loved getting into things every chance he got. One day he told his Mommy he was going potty. She thought he was taking a long time, but she only hollered for him to come out of the bathroom because she was busy packing. They went upstairs together and folded some clothes and went through some toys. About an hour later, Mommy went to use the bathroom and saw this. At first she thought her little boy had merely unwrapped every single one of his sisters' maxi pads but later realized he had also removed the backing so that they were all stuck to each other and the toilet. Baffled that she could not find the backings anywhere, she finally lifted the toilet seat. To her surprise-- it was stuffed with the backings and toilet paper and sprinkled generously with cleanser-- before her little boy went pee pee.
Let me tell you-- this little boy's Mommy was not happy--- not happy at all.
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Flat paint is not fun when you have a bunch of kids. Heck, even if you don't have kids it isn't fun. So we have made what I think is a wise decision-- we are painting the walls a darker shade of semi-gloss paint before we move in like we did in our previous home.
But how do you choose a color that is not too pinkish, not too light, and will go with everything? I'm thinking of closing my eyes and just pointing to one--- just kidding.
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On Friday night we all watched Camp Rock 2. Sveta and Anna each had one of their friends over too!
I recently learned about Accelerated Christian Education. So today I had a few of the girls take the online test to see where their education had gaps and what grade they were actually testing at. I was intrigued by this curriculum because it allows you to go back and fill in any gaps that your children may be missing in their education. I'm not necessarily going to home school them, but I am definitely thinking about helping them fill in the gaps here at home on the weekends and holidays.
Can I let you in on a little secret?
A part of me, is very interested in learning about homeschooling.
I continue to research it but I am not sure why. On one hand, I think I would be horrible at homeschooling and my kids' education would suffer but on the other hand, finding out that my little boy used the term "WTF" because he hears it every day at school makes me second guess all the other things they are learning at school.
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Paul started it. He was coloring and making pretend cell phones out of construction paper and before you know it, Jonny and Andrew joined in. Together they came up with a cool pencil/cell phone/wallet case. It was too cool for school. Literally.
Paul started it. He was coloring and making pretend cell phones out of construction paper and before you know it, Jonny and Andrew joined in. Together they came up with a cool pencil/cell phone/wallet case. It was too cool for school. Literally.
Anastasia spent hours making her own cell phone too!
So glad to see my kids' imaginations at work! Definitely a smile!
35 inspiring thoughts:
Laughing out loud about the "little boy"!!!!!
guess we could smile at the fact that he didnt stick them all over his body?????/
ha, one of my 'little boys' did the same thing not to long ago..this mummy was not happy either..lol
Hey Christine -
We put our three grown children through private schools and I was a teacher in public schools. We will be homeschooling our adopted daughter. Not because of the education but to remove her from the ridiculous influence of peers you get when you put so many kids of the same age all together. We will join a homeschool group where she can relate to children of all ages.
Oh, and BTW, my sister's daughter did the same thing. But she stuck them to the back of the door where my sister didn't see them because they only showed when the door was closed. A guest told her about them!
I am with Debbie - I homeschooled primarily because after my children left the mixed-age envionment of Montessori (they were in a Grade 1-6 classroom), I saw such a vast difference in behavior between them and their peers at the Catholic school.
I don't think ANYONE, even the elderly or middle aged, are at their best in same-age groupings.
Thanks for the curriculum link; our school allows homeschoolers to do a partial enrollment, so that is what we hope to do with Ilya. A full curriculum is ridiculous for him. He can only understand such a fraction of what is presented.
I did think of you while we watched Camp Rock 2. I thought Anastasia would love it - but wouldn't you know? A pre-teen angst-filled obsession with Declan Galbraith had her so crazed, she actually sat there and CRIED though it. So much for thinking you can figure these girls out.
Tyler was in an ACE school for a year because he needed a break from public. Jeff has been in it four years where he is. I am not in favor of it. It's not on par with public--at least not here. Jeff's algebra 1 paces where less advanced than Adam's pre algebra at the time. It might be good for the ones who can't keep up with the public school curriculum, but I'd look at more curriculum if you do decide to homeschool.
Oh wow! Gotta give him points for...creativity?
The kids look like they're having lots of fun coloring cell phones - what a great idea, Paul!
Little boys ... !!!
And Christine - you would be AWESOME as a homeschooling mom, should you decide to go that route. Or what about online public schooling. I'm overseas (for a while, at least) and am using an internet program that does cost some, but is very reasonable. And the more we use it, the more I like it - this makes up for about 1/2 of our schooling, but I feel it gives us a pretty good base.
I totally understand when you say that largely you would want to take the kids out of the negatives they are exposed to in school. The school district can be a reputable one, the teachers can be awesome - but there are still drawbacks. Yet, I ponder at times, am I giving the kids all they need in the homeschooling environment? Who knows. But we're doing what seems best for our kids at this point in their lives.
Oh what a funny, inquisitive little boy! :) I thought you were going to say he was tired of packing and flushed a few toys down the toilet.
Homeschooling..... it's great! But just like your sweet daughter afraid of swimming in the deep end of the water... ya gotta just dive in. :)
If you have any questions, I can help you. (not forcing you, just letting you know I am here)
I have been homeschooling since 1992. Curriculums are VAST and WONDERFUL.... :) There are also some online schools or co ops where the kids school 3 days and are home 2. There are all sorts of ideas out there. :)
No offense, but you would be a great homeschooler! Seriously! ALL it takes is a love for your children (you have that), and a desire to encourage them (you have that too!). :) You keep thinking and praying!
What you found in the bathroom is hilarious! My friend's little boy took the backs off some of these items one morning and stuck them on the big front window of the living room while she was gettig ready for work. As they leave by the back door she didn't notice them till she got home. She wonders what anyone thought who walked by the house that day.............what did the postman think when he put the mail in the box right beside the window??????? We all howled...
Oh wow- hmmmmm.....all those pads to unstick from the toilet seat...may be quicker to just buy a new toilet seat :0 oh dear!
Love the sound of your new home- sounds WONDERFUL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
When kids go to school, they are taught by teachers with a Bachelor's or Master's in their field of education and trained in their speciality. This goes for the 1st grade teacher to the high school physics teacher and the special ed teachers. Learning a foreign language is extremely important and we Americans are so lacking in this area. My daughter's foreign language teachers all were native speakers in French, Spanish, German, Russian and Italian and most had a PhD. That can't be duplicated unless the student is attending the school.
Yes, kids pick up things that parents would rather they don't, but we can't shelter our kids forever. We teach them right from wrong and part of the growing process is learning to make wise decisions (and learn from mistakes).
I was a substitute teacher for many of the years while my daughter was growing up and worked in classes from kindergarten through high school. Teachers are very skilled at what they do. My daughter is a phenominal teacher and the students she has are very fortunate to have her. She has a handful of students in Moscow that are extremely bright and so she created a college level seminar in American Lit to teach them.
I cracked up when I saw your toilet picture. If it had happened in my bathroom, I would have had a different reaction and especially when I had to fish all the paper out of the used toilet bowl. What kids won't think of!
Wise decision about the paint.
Can I suggest a color? I painted my whole downstairs a pale green. It is perfect. I wish I had done it years ago. I also follow a blog full house full hands full heart on wordpress. She has 12 kids I believe and she painted her house the same color. it looks so perfect. It's just a light green, very similar to one of your color samples you posted.
Like Christie said... I also offer support just to answer questions. No pressure. Just support.
I homeschool my eight children and wouldn't have it any other way! If you want to talk about it, just drop a note on facebook or on my blog. :D
Sorry I didn't have time to reach of the above comments, but regarding home schooling: pray and ask God how He wants your children educated. He created them, He has a plan for each of them, He knows best how to educate them. He even knows what curriculum is best since every child is different and one curriculum might not suit all. We've home schooled for 9 years so far. We've graduated 3: one is in his last semester at college, one is completing his degree online with Liberty U and is called into ministry, one is working full time at a good job. For our adopted kids...it was absolutely the right thing to do too. Read Deuteronomy 6:5-9. Pray with your husband, and then say "yes" to whatever God is calling you to do!
Try an eggshell finish on the paint, instead of semi-gloss. It cleans as easily, wears well but isn't quite as shiny.. its an excellent balance between flat and semi-gloss.
Pads stuck together = UGH.
As for wall colors, I did a khaki color on some walls and a warm golden color on others - I love having earth tones, it feels so comfortable. Good luck deciding! :D
Don't pick Adobe Straw for your paint! Unfortunately, I know all too well how pinkish it looks!
You are already a GREAT mom, so homeschooling would just fall in line. :) The BEST ever advice I got when I jumped in 9 years ago was "Take the 1st year and don't stress. Just take that time to see what works for your family." This was from a friend who had homeschooled her children, then already grown and her husband was the high school principal here. I hope you know you can call anytime. There is a lot of help and support out there for you should you choose to explore this option.
I'd think a nice beige would be good and go with everything . . . though I'd be tempted to paint every room a different color because I'm weird like that. :D
As for homeschooling, I'd be happy to answer questions you have for those who actually grew up homeschooled . . . I'm a second generation HSer. My boys are still little, so I can't offer much advice on that part of things, but I can certainly tell you how it felt to be taught at home and what I felt that my parents could have done better.
expatmom.info
Please HOMESCHOOL! you will NEVER regret it! On the other hand you might regret the things that your kids learn in public schools, esp if it draws them away from the Lord. you can do it, I promise, we're praying and pulling for ya!
I have homeschooled kids , I have one in public high school, and there's an online public option that is nearly free in your new area -http://www.k12.com/oakknoll
I have three of my six in the Texas Virtual Academy through k12. It's homeschooling with support and accreditation, in my opinion. It lacks in that it is not a Christian curriculum, but it isn't anti-Christian either.
Hey Christine! I'm so behind on posting comments!! Anyway, praying for your move AND I just started home schooling our 3 little girls this year and this is my son's 3rd year. We LOVE LOVE LOVE IT! You can do it!!!
God bless,
Amy
I have been following your blog since you went to bring Dennis home. I think you family is awesome!
I have this on my ipod. It is very inspiring view on homeschooling by RC Sproul Jr.
Listen and see what you think.
http://www.ligonier.org/rym/broadcasts/audio/content-teaching/
Oh my goodness...forgive my short *giggle*...I'm so sorry about the toilet episode!!!
I'm in high school and it's pretty hard to be a Christian when there's so little other Christians around you. I find it depressing. Not many people shares the views I do because of it. Just right now we have a scandal going on in our school because of inappropriate dancing....anyway, that said, I often wonder if I should be getting homeschooled...you would definitely have good reason to if you could handle it.
I find that taupe is just another name for "same color as dirty fingerprints!" Works well for us. We chose 2 colors from the same paint chip, and diluted one 1/2 & 1/2 with white for areas that didn't get much light.
As for home schooling, we have done all sorts of choices. I would agree you should do lots of research on curriculum, and perhaps attend a home school conference where they have curriculum on preview. For your academically advanced children, Bob Jones is one of the most thorough, and Saxon Math can't be beat (except maybe by Singapore), but for the struggling children I might look at easier ones. We found language and science were better taught at school, although we did not have one of the cool computer language programs (books/tapes were pretty lame). Since we were required to have them attend 2 classes to be eligible for school sports, those were the ones that actually benefited them. My mentor suggested that any classes that avoided lunch or study hall were good for avoiding the nastier public school influences. However, now both our sons are in public and doing well, so I think each child needs to be evaluated separately on the issue. For Adam, you might consider college classes for free, if available thru your H.S., as our son started in 10th and by taking 1 class each qtr sophmore & jr year, and 2 each qtr sr year, was 1.5 yrs done w/ college when he graduated H.S. This allowed him to work & spread out his college classes so he graduated debt-free at the regular age.
Sherry
Ha ha ha on the bathroom. Boys are such a trip!
Paint colors: 1) don't tack them up against a white wall to assess them. Put them next to the furniture that will be in that room. Look at them at various times during the day. Eliminate any you don't like in certain lights. 2) Once you've done that, then spend 3$ and purchase a sample of your paint color (or even your top two or 3 favorites.) Paint it on your wall in at least a 2'x3' section and let it dry for a couple of days (the colors will change as the paint cures.) Then pick your final color and paint the whole room. Good luck! Every single wall in my house needed to be painted when we moved in. Not all of them have been painted yet. It's a BIG job...but oh, so worth it!
Not to point fingers but if I had to pick a little boy I would say that looks like a work of art from Dennis. LOL.
On homeschooling, I think you will be great at it. Not all kids need it but the ones that struggle out there will for sure benefit from it. I have considered it several times. I wish I could find another mom that is homeschooling that takes a few more kids... My kid has too much anxiety, and then is the learning things that she will never learn at home or from our friends.
Alright, I'll confess. It was Dennis.
Thanks for all of the homeschooling tips and encouragement. I am still praying about it and evaluating some of the kids.
As for the paint colors-- you girls have given me much to think about. :)
I'm always gathering information about homeschooling myself...in the event I have to pull our newest arrival back out of school- or- I just feel it's the "right" thing for any of them, it gives me comfort that I have a tiny bit of headstart in figuring out what I'd do. Like you, I'm always on the lookout for information to "fill the gaps" also..so thanks for the link! Blessings, Jennifer
Hi Christine--regarding the "WTF" statement...I do think that kids hear cussing and bad words at school and that's just the reality of it. They are going to hear those words sooner or later. But what a great chance to teach a lesson to your kids about the appropriateness/inappropriateness of words and how they can be a good influence on their classmates. This discussion reminded me of a sermon I heard at my church a few months ago...about how we as Christians need to surround ourselves with non-Christians and be their good influence. I wish I would have kept my sermon notes because I'm terrible about remembering bible scriptures. But I guess I view public school (with its ups and downs) as a place for our kids to let their lights shine. Influence can go both ways, don't underestimate the positive influence your kids can have on others at school.
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