Disneyland

This was our last trip with our Disneyland Annual passes that we purchased last year. We can't wait to buy them again.

We stopped by the LEGO store in Downtown Disney on the way home and the kids had to pose with The Hulk and Olivia

Did You Know?

Alexander Graham Bell

Thomas Edison

Albert Einstein

Benjamin Franklin

Patrick Henry

Eli Whitney

Orville & Wilbur Wright

John Adams

Thomas Jefferson

George Wythe

Alexander Hamilton

George Washington

Abraham Lincoln

Theodore Roosevelt

Louisa May Alcott

Robert Frost

C.S. Lewis

Laura Ingalls Wilder

Leonardo da Vinci

Claude Monet

Isaac Newton

Johann Sebastian Bach

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Winston Churchill

What do these well-known people all have in common? Besides creative genius or exceptional leadership...  

Each received a large part, if not all, of their education at home. That's right folks, these people were homeschooled! Through reading, discovering and exploring. There are many, many more people who have left their mark in the world and were educated in their own home. (There is a great list of famous homeschoolers at http://www.famoushomeschoolers.net )

Whenever you feel challenged or discouraged, just take a peek at these names and realize the potential those little people in your home have if you only give them the tools to unleash it! Many of these incredibly intelligent people were poor public school students and felt like failures, yet thrived when allowed to pursue knowledge in their own way and time. 

Is It Over Yet???

I am going to be brutally honest with you and most importantly with myself. I keep asking myself "Is it over yet?" Don't get me wrong, I love and I mean LOVE homeschooling my kids.

September through April I am on top of it and always adding in super fun activities and field trips to maximize our learning potential. I fill out learning, reading and lesson plan logs daily. We have all sorts of fun doing school all over the house, the yard and even at the store. For lack of a better phrase I am "Super Mom!".

As soon as May 1st rolls around that all goes out the Window and all I can manage to get done is the bare minimum required. I am beyond grateful that our dance parties, trampoline and walking the dog all count as P.E. or we would be in BIG trouble. We have had a lot of days of what I like to call "The Netflix School of Learning". I have yet to fill out a single log or report and all of the kids work from the last 5 weeks is due by next Friday the 7th. Now, before you judge me for our usage of Netflix on almost a daily basis this last month. Sage and Aurora can tell you all about Egypt, King Tut, Cleopatra, Ramses the Great, The Nile River, Moses, and the Israelite's, The Great Wall of China and why it was built and name all of the Greek and Roman Gods. Seriously... what 3rd grader and Kindergartner could do that????

Sage was supposed to work on a science fair presentation but no matter what I did to bribe motivate him he wasn't having any of it, I gave up so I could keep some part of my sanity and we just did 5 small science experiments. Then last week I found out that Aurora has to prepare a device less than 6x6 inches to keep an uncooked egg from cracking for the Egg Drop on the last day of school. The Hubs is usually in charge of things like this but he's been working a lot and has been super busy with the Scouts at Church, so here I am trying to figure out what kind of device will work best. This is definitely my definition of Hell.

Then I think back to our days of Public School I remember that it could always be worse. The last minute projects and stress that was brought on by making sure Sage had his homework folder, reading log and behavior chart signed and backpack cleaned out daily. He always managed to have a teacher with more OCD than me and to top it off there seemed to be contest between the kids for who brought the perfect handmade gift for his teacher and signing up for enough things so the class could have a decent party since most of the parents never signed up for anything. I am so glad that we have left those days far, far behind.

I've decided that it takes all kinds of Mom's to make the world go round. Public School Mom's are my new hero's!

Summer Fun

With Summer rapidly approaching The kids and I made our annual Summer fun list today. We are really excited!

2013-2014 Curriculum

I have Sage's 4th grade curriculum all picked out.

Writing

Handwriting 

Social Studies

Science

We'll get a different kit each month

Language Arts

Math

We will also be reading every Chapter book we can get our hands on. I am beyond excited for the new year.

I don't have much to pick out for Aurora since most of her work is done on-site with a teacher but here's what she'll be doing at home with us in 1st grade.

Handwriting

Social Studies

In addition to Ancient Civilizations she be doing Native Americans and Life in Plymouth Colony

She will also be reading the Magic Treehouse books this year

For Art we will be using Kelly Kits

Girls Night

Tonight I got a much needed escape.

My friend Marissa and I were able to go to dinner at Panera Bread and do some shopping at Pier One Imports and Bath and Body Works.

I was so busy having fun that I forgot to take a pictures. I am truly blessed with great friends!

Peace

I don't know what is wrong with this world. All we hear about on the news is acts of terror and violence. The events of this past week(Boston Marathon, MIT shooting and Manhunt) have stirred a sense of paranoia inside me.

It is times like this that I am reminded that I did make the right choice for our family by keeping the kids home with me and educating them with the safe walls of our home. I am so glad that my children are too young to understand that this world is truly becoming an evil place. Our standards are being bombarded every day with messages that just a little sin is okay.

I have so many people to thank for our opportunity to homeschool. First, Heavenly Father for giving me the strength and courage to seek out what is right for my children. Second, my Mother for supporting my dreams of homeschooling. Third, my amazing Husband for being my rock and crutch when times are tough and I feel like giving up. Fourth, TLC for providing curriculum and support to me and my children. Fifth, my amazing children and their love of learning despite the obstacles put in their way, which makes this all worth it.

Miss Sassy

Anyone who has ever met Aurora knows that she is the sassiest girl alive. She saw this denim jacket at Target a few weeks ago and flat out insisted that she have it for her birthday outfit. Our conversation went like this:

Aurora: "Mom! Oh my goodness! LOOK at this gorgeous jacket.

Me: " Yes, Aurora. It is gorgeous."

Aurora: "I must have it so I can be a fashion girl!"

Me: "I don't know Aurora, maybe for Easter"

Aurora: " No... I want it now. You can take back all my birthday presents but I MUST have this jacket!"

Me: "Okay, are you sure?"

Aurora: "Duh, Mom!"

Here she is in her new birthday outfit that she finally got to wear this last Sunday since she's been sick the last 2 weeks.

It's a good thing she's adorable.

Little Lady

My little lady is 6 today! I can't believe it, It seems like just yesterday she was born. She has filled our home with joy and laughter and definitely keeps us on our toes. 

Aurora 

February 23, 2013

20 Questions

1. What is your favorite color? - gold

2.What is your favorite toy? - Princess Cadence My Little Pony

3.What is you favorite fruit? - Bananas & Strawberries

4. What is your favorite tv show? - My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic

5. What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch? - Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

6. What is your favorite outfit? - Pink and Silver Christmas Dress

7. What is your favorite game? - xbox 360 Kinect Adventures

8.What is your favorite snack? - Keebler Fudge Stripe Cookies

9. What is your favorite animal? - Cheetah

10. What is your favorite song?- Call Me Maybe and Gangnam Style

11. What is your favorite book? - Goldilicious and Bad Case of the Stripes

12. Who is your best friend? - Eva

13. What is your favorite cereal? - Cookie Crisp and Cocoa Puffs

14. What is your favorite thing to do outside? - Jumping on the trampoline and 

swinging 

on the tire swing

15. What is your favorite drink? - Strawberry Milk and Stawberry Lemonade

16. What is your favorite holiday? - Christmas

17. What do you take to bed with you at night? - Stuffed Princess Cadence

18. What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast? - Special K with Strawberries

19. Where is your favorite place to visit? - Disneyland

20. What do you want to be when you grow up? - A teacher

Ten Years Ago

Ten years ago today in the University of Utah Hospital ICU I gave birth to our second son, Hayden Andrew Parker. To read Hayden's story click HERE. 

Since Aurora's birthday is tomorrow we will combine the family festivities at the restaurant of Aurora's choice at Disneyland the 25th and 26th. 

Can It Be???

I can't believe that my Baby will be 6 years old next week. It seems like just yesterday we brought her home from the Hospital. 

This year we are actually forgoing a big party and will be spending 2 days at Disneyland. However she has  been asking for a slumber/tea/dance party. She's picked one friend to come over and we'll do all the girly things that Aurora has been dying to do.

I made up two invitations because Aurora has this obsession with invitations

Over The Rainbow

Aurora has been begging me to make her class some treats like the ones I used to make for Sage's classes at least once a month. Yes, I was that awesome Mom who made something totally adorable for every holiday I could come up with.

I've been putting it off all school year because my desire to craft has been on hiatus for the last 2 1/2 years. After scouring Pinterest I finally found something that I could make using MDS and Costco Photo.

I made this little cloud tag and had it printed on photo paper. I cut it out and layered it on top of some Pink Pirouette cardstock, punched two small holes with my crop-a-dile and stuck the lollipop though it. For her teacher I just turned the cloud into a tag and tied it to a giant Hershey Kiss.

 I think they turned out pretty darn cute for my first attempt back at crafting. I've got to get it together.

Eleven Years

Wow... has it really been eleven years since I married my best friend? The time has flown by but yet it seems we've known each other forever. 

Exiting the San Diego Temple after our ceremony.

Our First Dance