Bling

The Bling says it all.

It was a good gymnastics meet for Big A.

No Fighting in 2012

"The second person starts the fight as they are the one that has the choice to walk away. Without a second, there is no fight."

I love this!

I know this is not the most cheerful way to start 2012, but I am trying to live it, and I love it.

Our RAD kiddo is always eager to start a fight, and I too often take the bait.  Fortunately, I am getting too old for the battles, and I now know better.

Whether it is with Lexa, my husband, or Andrew, I am learning to walk away, and it feels much better than the screaming matches.  (Typing this, I just realized, Adam and I never ever fight.)

There it is, my simple plan to improve our family life.  I started this several weeks ago, and the changes have been remarkable.  I hope 2012 bring much more success.

Thanks to my best friend for helping me embrace this wisdom.  I love you Mom.

It is Nice to be Perfect

At dinner we brought out the 'Family Talk' cards  ...  the question was:

'If you could change one thing about your parents, what would it be and why?

Andrew comes up with a long list of changes Dad needs to make, but when he came to me he said:

'Mom, well she is pretty perfect.'

Merry Christmas to Me .... Could there be any better gift?  NO WAY!!!

I think you are pretty perfect too!

Classic Adamism

Adam is learning about money in math.

The question was:  How do you get $9.32?

Adam's response:  You go to the bank.

This is so typical of Adam... he gives a correct answer, but not the typical answer.

Gotta love the creativity.

Homeschooling is SO Time Consuming

I continue to hope that I will have time for a little of 'my' life, but it just does not happen.
I continue to adjust to life with the boys at home ALL THE TIME.  We do school from 9am to 3pm everyday, and then we do gymnastics, swimming or dance from 4pm until 7pm.  Then from 7pm until 8pm we get ready for bed, and then I CRASH!!!

For the most part, HS'ing going well, but it is hard.  I daily wonder how long will I will do this?  Should we put them back in school?  What school? 

Then I remember all the great changes we have seen since we began this journey.

• The boys are much better friends.
• Adam's reading has improved 100%.
• Adam is much happier, more relaxed, and self-confident (the reason we began this adventure)
• Adam's handwriting is noticeably better.
• Andrew is much less angry.
• I feel fulfilled with my purpose (most of the time).
• There is no negative junk coming home from school.

So 'my' life will have to wait for now. I am not really sure what 'my' life would look like, since before homeschool, I spent my days driving to/from school, volunteering at school, and doing the nightly homework battle.  Maybe, I can go back to blogging and photo taking as I spend my days guiding the boys in the work....maybe?

p.s. Lexa is doing full-day Kindergarten and loving it!  (I love it too :))