Our start for the year, and a great homeschool moment already

We are now going into our 5th week of Sonlight Core 1. We had to take a week off due to Hurricane Gustav, but it worked out okay because it was also my DD's birthday (6th) on that Wednesday. We are doing a 4 day schedule so it is more flexible for us. In addition to Sonlight we are doing "Teach them Spanish", "English from the Roots Up" (2nd half), a Phonics Review, "Sequential Spelling", "Studying God's Word B" (which has much stronger/better doctrine than SL's "Leading Little One's to God")and "Lollipop Logic". She really loves SL's science experiments and the read alouds. So far the 2nd grade readers aren't challenging her, but it picks up through the year, so it should work out. Some of the science is pretty advanced stuff (like reflection/refraction & Plimsoll line), and some of the writing required for the science sheets is quite advanced for her. But they do this so it will be challenging to an older child if you are sharing curriculums, so I let her verbally answer where I know it's too difficult, and I make note of that and write in her answers. The Lang. Arts would be the same thing, if she wasn't as gifted in that area....but that is why I chose Sonlight! She needs the challenge. She is also taking an interest in art, loves ballet, and is in the children's choir again this year. And socialization??!! She had more friends at her party this year than last year (most from church and homeschool groups)...about 16!! Plus she made two friends on the playground before her guests arrived that also tagged along for the party...so I guess that's about 18 then...lol.

Things are pretty challenging this year for mom because I also have my precocious and very meddlesome 2 year old DD who is potty training. All markers and scissors have to be kept a minimum of 6ft off the ground, and all liquids must be quite out of reach...lol. She is also getting very needy when we've been doing school a while, even with coloring at the table with us, playing with puzzles, looking at books, watching PBS, etc. She's also in that "what's that?!" stage, so she is learning at neck break speed. I try my best to capitalize on this time, but it is difficult to find all the time I'd like to take with her, and I know she still gets needy for her momma.

Our area is building a really cool homeschool group...really an incorporation of two seperate homeschool groups. We had a small one last year, and then one of the moms in our group found a mom from their group, etc. We missed the first playdate, due to mechanical issues (...ahem my hubby's tranny went out, so he had my car). But they have a field trip once a month planned, so hopefully we will be able to make those.

And now for my homeschool moment of the month....

My husband's friend was in our kitchen fixing a plate to eat, and when my daughter passed by he said, "Como Estas?". She promptly replied "Muy bien, gracias. Y tu?" LOL. I love homeschooling.