Tabitha's turn...

Tabitha started ballet last Wednesday. I'm She's so excited! Taylor tried ballet when she was about three and hated it. She said she didn't like to "Plie." I have hope once again that one of my daughters will love dance as much as I did/do. Martie is not too sure about the leotard get up. I think she is the cutest ballerina ever!

I must say 1st position is looking pretty good on my girl. ;)

Getting to be a butterfly.

Taking dance with friends makes it even better.

1st week of school

We made it! Whew! By mid week Aaliyah and Naomi weren't as excited about homeschooling as they were before. (Neither was I)  So Thursday and Friday I slacked off a bit. I slept in a little later, started school later, didn't finish all the subjects....(Gasp!) It was great! 

This is our 9th year teaching our children at home and I still struggle with trying to mimic the traditional school setting. After teaching Aaliyah and Naomi this week I was quickly reminded, we are different. We do school differently. It's okay. 

I still LOVE a schedule. I have to have a schedule. It gives me peace. Although I was more relaxed Thursday and Friday, I felt more organized and together Monday-Wednesday. So, next week we'll once again wake up at our "scheduled" time, do our chores, and start school work. If by Thursday, I need to (sleep in) loosen up, it's okay.

I do not want my children to hate school. One of our goals in home educating is to foster an environment where learning is fun! That doesn't mean there won't be tears. Because as we experienced this week, learning can also be hard. There are those moments where we must push through and then there are moments where we must take a break. 

Here are a few pictures that I was able to capture one day in a very short period of time. 

Aaliyah working hard on her math drill sheet. By the end of the week she was able to finish this sheet in a faster time than the rest of the week and with no mistakes! She also made a 100 on her spelling test, wrote a paper about the Middle Ages, and memorized loads of new grammar.

Ethan loves the flash master. All the children work on math at the same time. I set him up with this for a bit while I get the others going. This is definitely one way to make math facts fun. Ethan made a 90 on his spelling test, finished his first cursive handwriting book, and memorized loads of new grammar.

Naomi made huge progress this week! My goal  is to build her confidence up so that she is motivated. Tonight I heard her tell someone excitedly, "I can read!" She also worked through some math worksheets, memorized many different sounds of letters, learned about the different biomes.... 

Oh my sweet perfectionist, Tabitha. She started "doing school" before she could talk. This is one ambitious little girl. Most of her life I've begged her to go play. There will be plenty of years to do school, I'd tell her. This just happened to be one of those days. She's crying in this picture because her number eight wasn't perfect. Although, it was perfect, especially for a 5 year old. She wrote it, erased, rewrote, erased and rewrote... 10 minutes later, she was all smiles. You can see those pictures further down. Tabitha also learned several sounds for letters, made words with letters, did several pages in her Explode the Code book (which she is in book 2.) I started those books with her a couple of years ago when she was begging for work. She flew through books A, B, 1, 1 1/2, and now 2!

Carissa is much like Tabitha. She really wants to do school. She sees the others worksheets and wants "Papers like theirs." I have worked hard to keep up with her. She's had several books read to her, talked about colors, counted, sorted counting bears...

A smiley, happy Naomi!

.....and there's Andrew. Oh wait! Where is Andrew???

There he is! I need to frame this picture because he didn't stay in this seat for long. Andrew had a great day, Tuesday.  He struggled the rest of the days. Andrew does school the best in forts, under pillows, outside, or on my lap. We only did one of those ways this week. He and I placed pillows all around us and on top of us while we read Language Lessons. It was great. However, we have to figure out a way to motivate this boy when he's out of the fort or the pillows. Oh, Andrew....

These are the pictures I was telling you about. Literally 10 minutes after the tears. Note the perfectly written 8.

Take a picture of me now, Mom! (runny nose and all)

My class. 

Ethan proud of his work.

The Lord is so good and gracious to me. Yes, this week was hard. He showed me my heart. He showed me my struggles. He showed me how much I need Him.

Philippians 1:6 "For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus."

Hebrews 13:20-21 "Now the God of peace, who brought up from the dead the great Shepherd of the sheep through the blood of the eternal covenant, even Jesus our Lord, equip you (me) in every good thing to do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever."

Immersed in Truth Academy 2013-2014

Seth (1 1/2) Tot school

Carissa (3) Tot school

Tabitha (5) Kindergarten

Andrew (7) 2nd grade

Naomi (7) 2nd grade

Ethan (8) 3rd grade

Aaliyah (10) 5th grade

Taylor (15) 10th grade

My kids... My class... My blessings!

Tabitha Ruth is finally 5!!!

Tabitha has been counting the days until her birthday. We are so excited to celebrate the day with her!

The day we found out we were having another girl, everyone was so excited. (Especially Taylor) I remember buying a pink balloon and picking the other kids up from the Trunicks house after Martie and I found out. Tabitha brought our family to 2 boys and 2 girls.

Tabitha was/is our only thumb sucker. (Although she said when she's five she won't do it anymore) She was the easiest and fastest to potty train. Independent, fast learner, eager in everything, beautiful, helpful, loving, kind, funny, clumsy (I hate to give her the label, but she just can't help it)... Those are just a few adjectives to describe our princess.

Tabitha is all girl. She wants to do very girly things like fix her hair, paint her nails, and get dressed up. Then before you blink she's in the mud with the boys or on the ball field hitting balls and running bases.  Her brothers are her best buddies. She IS "Taylor's girl." I imagine they will be life long best friends. Carissa looks up to her and wants to copy everything she does. Tabitha is so helpful with Seth. He loves to give her hugs and kisses.

Mommy and Daddy love you princess! You are a blessing to us. Always remember, "You are fearfully and wonderfully made!"

Happy 5th Birthday!!!!