Homeschool Update

Ah, homeschool.

To say that it has been a challenge is an understatement. To say that it has been rewarding, joyful and wonderful is also an understatement.
The past six months have had their ups and downs but overall, I am so glad we decided to homeschool Amos.
When we first started out, I was trying to keep up with Amos' previous school, trying to do multiple subjects a day. After a few days of that, I felt like we had had a good day if we did reading, writing, Bible and math. And then when Levi was born, we took a gigantic break! (Which we are still making up!).
Amos is an experiential learner. He likes to do, see, play, act and get involved. In fact, he rarely sits down but does most of his writing and worksheets standing up. He doesn't love doing his worksheets, but it is the only way I feel like we can do something tangible. Plus, he just needs practice with writing, so we do those a few times a week.
It was also tough for me to stick to a curriculum, as the one we borrowed from friends seemed a bit young for Amos. So I ended up piecing lessons together for him to continue to learn math, (adding, counting, shapes and money recognition), letters (upper and lower case and writing practice), and reading, using flash cards, Dr. Seuss books and BOB books.
Nathan has been reading to the kids at bedtime and we did a lot of reading through the Bible.

Like I said, overall, I'm glad we tried it. When I think back to last fall and the stress we were under to keep up Amos' schedule of early bedtime, early rising, eating a lot, homework and afternoon pick ups, most of what comes to mind is stress and frustration. I feel that because Amos has been learning at home, he's been able to mature at his pace, be part of our family during important days and times, like Nathan's day off and bringing Levi home. I felt his absence from our family and sure, I was glad that he was getting to experience new things, but it just felt disjointed and not unified.
Amos' attitude and heart have grown and blossomed and he has become such a sweet big brother. It's been so helpful having him at home and I'm thankful that it's been enriching for him too. He's gotten to do many of his favorite things, like, Legos, cooking, dress up, drawing, games, and outings. It seems that Amos' creativity has really blossomed since he's had time to hang out and play. His costumes and Lego creations are all so unique and again, it makes me happy that Amos gets to spend the whole afternoon, just playing.
There are a few things I pine for: more time one on one, to do art and science projects and a bigger yard for our kids to play, experience nature and run around in.
But yeah, overall, it's been great to spend so much time with him and watch him learn and I wouldn't trade it for the world!!

Another fun thing that has come from it is that Flannery has gotten really involved and wants to do things alongside of us. She loves "writing" and "reading" next to us and I think she'll be reading way before her time!

Next year, the plan is to join a group called Classical Conversations. 
It is a type of homeschool co-op, that aims to be more of a community. It is classically based, which is an approach that uses repetition, singing and memorization to learn things and uses many of the classics as a a way to learn things.
We will go one morning a week to the group, where Amos will be tutored on that week's lessons. We'll spend the other days doing our own language arts and math. The great thing is that Amos will get to do art projects and science experiments there, and I will get to do them with him.
I am really excited to join that community and look forward to seeing what Amos will learn through this group!
(Amos took some of the random pictures below, too! Another fun thing he's learned to do!)