Our New Journey

Before the kids were born, the hubster and I tossed around the idea of homeschooling. With neither one of us feeling like the smarty-pants type of parent that you must be to accomplish such a task (successfully), we decided not to think about it. Aaaaand to the backburner it went.


However, it didn’t stay there. It kept nagging at me. I tried to pretend the horror stories of our failing public schools in the media didn’t affect me. That’s not in my state... I live in a small town, that doesn’t happen here... I tried to persuade myself into thinking that it’s not as bad as it seems. Truth be told, it probably seems better than it is.

With Kindergarten behind us, I have been forced to make a decision. My son’s school has been shut down for the next school year as the budget has been cut yet again. More teachers have been laid off and classroom sizes are growing. My son, Mr. Sensitive Ears, did not do well at the beginning of his Kindergarten year. That is, until they split his class into two different classes. He excelled with far fewer classmates. He went from needing an extra reading class to reading an entire book by himself in a matter of weeks.

As parents, we were quite proud of our little scholar and fond of his teacher, Mr. Teacher, but there were still problems. Jaedon complained that he hated school and the only thing he liked about it each day was recess. I noticed that his schoolwork didn’t change much, even though he had mastered the worksheets, he was still doing the very same ones week in, week out. I believe Jaedon became bored of school because he was not being challenged. He still loves to do “school work” at home - so at least I know it isn’t learning that he hates. Yet another issue: bullies. Jaedon does not know how to handle bullies and the school is apparently full of them. I’d hear stories from my son nearly every week about a mean kid.

I don’t want anyone to feel like I am blaming schools or teachers for failing our students. I admire so many teachers, Mr. Teacher being one of them. There have been a handful of teachers in my life that have really inspired me.

For my family, homeschooling is the path we will be taking in the coming school year. I am very excited - today I have put in my order for the supplies we will need for next year. I just hope that a year from now I am not ripping my hair out.

Because, Sometimes, You Have to Have Pancakes for Dinner

I have gone back to school full-time. For me, it's only 2 classes plus a lab this semester. Monday, Wednesday and Friday I have my CNA class. It's in the morning & so far Andrew's been able to arrange his schedule to watch the kids. Tuesday & Thurday I have my math class in the evening. My wonderful MIL watches the boys for me & feeds them dinner. Most nights, it is pancakes. Mmm... Pancakes.

Well, of course hubby was getting a bit jealous (and so was I to be honest). So the other night we had these beauties for dinner:

Whole Wheat Favorite Pancakes

1-1/4 cup whole wheat flour

3 teaspoons baking powder

1 tablespoon sugar

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 egg

1 cup milk

2 tablespoons oil

Mix all dry ingredients together in one bowl & all wet ingredients in another. Combine until a consistant pancake batter*. Pour onto heated iron skillet or griddle. I really don't think I need to go through all the steps here, do I?

*I did have to add quite a bit more milk for a thinner consistancy & more even cooking. This is a great base recipe. Play around with it, add chocolate chips, cinnamon, brown sugar,  sweet potatoes (maybe use less milk if you do), etc.

I doubled the recipe & had plenty leftovers for breakfast the next morning. Score!

Smell It Now?

My brain is now mush. Trevin started waking up between 4 and 5 o’clock in the morning. It went on for over a week, maybe two. It just so happened that first week we all got sick as well. And it would have been too simple for us all to get sick on the same day. Oh no, no. In our family we take turns. =)


Sunday/Monday, I was sick with the ugly stomach bug. Monday/Tuesday Trevin was sick. Tuesday/Wednesday, Jaedon. Wednesday/Thursday, Andrew. That was mine & Andrew’s birthday week - half a month ago, and I’m still trying to catch up. I’m spent, but I think things are getting back to normal.

Andrew was very thoughtful this year with my birthday presents. He gave me a new bed set (chocolate brown), and some crochet and knitting supplies. And he actually wrapped all the presents himself! Aww. I barely know how to crochet, and I’m trying to learn how to knit. But, wow, was I surprised!

It is almost impossible to get Andrew something good for his birthday. He likes games, and nothing new (or good) comes out until November, and games are expensive! However, they just released the seasons of THUNDERCATS on DVD! I bought the first set for Andrew and also got him a nice frame with a picture of the two of us on our first date since………. Never mind. I cannot finish that sentence. I don’t know how long it has been. Ah, and to top off his gifts, some nice chocolates from the Sugar Shack. I think he was pleased.

Trevin had his 18 month check up, and good news! He is finally ON the charts! Woo-hoo! For most of his life he has been below the chart for his weight and just around the 25th percentile for his height. It’s never been an issue, my boys are just smaller than the average kid, but always healthy. I was just so proud of my boy for finally making the charts.

He is really starting to talk now and it’s exciting. You can tell he will be one of those kids that love to talk to anyone who is willing (or not) to listen. He says “love you” and “thank you” as well as a few household names (Daddy, Jaedon, Emma). I’m still not hearing “Mama” but Andrew swears he calls for me when I’m not home. But then again, he will say anything for Daddy. Daddy is Trevin’s favorite person in the world. Who could blame him?

Jaedon started going to AWANA a few weeks back and he loves it! He is doing wonderful with his scripture memorization and is almost always excited to learn the next one. He is doing this really funny, but sweet thing where he has to yell across the room, “I LOVE YOU (Mom, Dad, Grandma, Papa, etc…)!”

Oh, and just to let me know he is still all-boy, the other night the both of us were in the living room. He, standing to the side of the coffee table and me sitting on the floor in front of the couch 5’ away. “Excuse me. I farted.”-J.         “You’re excused. Thanks for being polite.”-Me.      “It stinks. Smell it?”-J.               “Ha ha,. No, I’m way over here.”-Me, and now thinking politeness didn‘t last long.

A moment later he walks over to me, turns his back to my face and leans forward. “Smell it now?” -J.