Snow Daze (Day 19/90)

We had almost a foot of snow today. 

This might be a little mean, but Rose doesn't need to know that other kids didn't go to school today.  (She gets a lot of days off.)

We read by the fire.

She still got to play in the snow.  What a great day for it.  A lot of snow and not too cold.

Papa, on the other hand,  did not enjoy his snow day.  Mother nature kept one step ahead of him all day.  Equipment failures didn't help either.

Until Next Time,
Blessings,
Heidi

Walk Parallel (Day 18/90)

I came across a quote in the book In His Steps by Charles M. Sheldon that struck me.  I've never heard it put quite like this : "It seemed one must walk parallel with Him or directly across His way. "

Seems pretty black and white and very convicting.  

Yesterday I had a conversation with a friend who is home schooling...and she is definitely feeling the pressure of her decision. If you know why you're doing it and that includes following a calling you have received from God,  then walk parallel,  my friend.  Anything else is across His way. 

Until Next Time, 

Blessings, 

Heidi

Know Your Why (Day 17/90)

Today I was reminded that I wasn't always so sure of our choice to home school.  Comments from others that didn't understand affected me more than I would have liked to admit. 

How did I get through it?   Define the end goal. ...and why you are doing it.  Then it is harder to be swayed.  I also re-read books like Thomas Jefferson Education by Oliver DeMille and Passion Driven Education by Connor Boyack to remind me of why I home school.

I guess you have to know "Why? " in order to finish any worthwhile endeavour. 

Until Next Time,
Blessings,
Heidi

Field Trip (Day 16/90)

Home schoolers can turn any excursion into an educational event.   Home Depot?  Let's learn about Edison.  Grocery store?  What about the process for making yogurt?  Oil change?  This is how a motor works.  You get the idea.

We're in Bullhead City, Arizona with Terry's parents and they took us to Oatman, AZ where the burros wander free. ....and do everything else freely as well.  It is on Route 66 and used to be an old mining town.  Cute little place to visit.  Some good history as well.

Watch your step,  though!

Until next time,
Blessings,
Heidi

Skol Vikings! (Day 15/90)

OK, confession time......if anyone is paying attention to this blog (which I think my husband and my daughter are) I did miss two days. 

We are in Colorado visiting Terry's brother and family!   Hope,  Sam,  and Rose are currently on a ski hill somewhere - for the first time ever!  💪👍 I don't really appreciate this art form so every time there is a "home school ski day" at a local ski slope I promptly click "delete" before anyone sees it.  But this one there was no getting out of and they were very excited.

Sam is a natural.  Of course.  Hope is getting the hang of it pretty well too, although just getting over pneumonia and being at a higher elevation may take a toll.  Rose is hilarious.  At first,  a lot of drama.  But then she got bit by the need for speed.  Every time she comes inside she can't wait to get back out there.  And Terry is hanging in there.   He's the one teaching Rosie.  Pretty cute.  He'll be worn out,  though. 

I think I've mentioned this before,  but I definitely appreciate not being bound by the school vacation schedule.   From here,  we head to AZ to visit Meema and Boppa for a few days! 

And,  of course,  we've gotta give a shout out to all Vikings fans everywhere.  The supposed "curse " has been broken!

Until next time, 
Blessings,
Heidi

Brrrrrrr! (Day 14/90)

Today......what to say.... I think today I am thankful that we don't have to send the kids out in the freezing cold weather to stand at a bus stop.  We all read our books and took care of our studies by the fireplace or in our bedrooms - for some more quiet. 

I am also thankful that the historical fiction book I am reading with Rosie has spiritual life lessons woven in.  :-)  I think one in particular was helpful today.

Until Next Time,
Blessings,
Heidi

Co-op Day (Day 13/90)

One of the most common questions I get about home schooling is, "Do you meet with other families?"   Yes!  (In fact, we were at ACES today!)  When I started home schooling, I did not know such things existed, but one day I had Hope and Sam with me at a dental appointment and the hygienist asked me if I home schooled.  Turns out she also home schooled and had a part time job.  She introduced me to Southern Cross Co-op in Apple Valley, MN where the kids and I met some great friends and made some lasting connections that have blessed us immensely.  😇

We also learned about some other great organizations and activities such as Math Team, Chess Club, South Heights high school age co-op, Out of the Box Ministries drama camp, and many great friends, as I said.  I also gleaned a LOT of great advice and information from the more experienced home school moms there. 

Since then, we have also utilized YEAH Academy, FAITH Co-op, and New Life ACES co-op.

At the co-ops where there are paid tutors, I have really loved the fact that the tutors are people who really love the subject they teach.  It is usually someone with a great passion for the subject and that rubs off on the students. 

Until Next Time,
Blessings,
Heidi