Life As It Is.

Chem Lab.

The girls and I turned our kitchen into a chem lab last week for a bit of experimentation. I found a chemistry kit for them for Christmas and so we put away the school books for a day last week and just spent the day learning about chemistry. We started by discussing some of the rules for safety and gathering all of our test substances. Earlier in the week, I had bought the items we didn't already have on hand, like glucose tablets, borax, etc.

Seth was in charge of a lab for a few years at his last job, so it was good to be able to use his experiences as an example for a few things. For instance, how chemistry is useful for identifying unknown substances. We studied how substances react with water; how to determine if a substance is a base or an acid using pH strips; using reagents such as citric acid to assist in identifying substances (Avery loved watching the carbon dioxide gas form when we combined substances); and observing the various ways that differing substances behave when heated (another favorite experiment for the girls). I think all in all, we performed eight different experiments.

Ice Age.

Honestly, it has been so long since we did this activity that I don't even remember what the point was other than that it had to do with the ice age. The girl's history lessons always have projects/activities that go along with each lesson. Sometimes they are more educational than others. This one was just a fun one where they were supposed to lay on their backs with a bag of ice on their belly and see how long they could last. Hopefully the smile on Avery's face will keep you from reporting me for child endangerment despite her bright red belly :)

Sadie lasted something like ten minutes, if I remember correctly. Avery would have kept going after her 21:13, but I insisted she needed to stop.

Family Portraits.

Yes, family portraits; but not the kind you think.

I've had good intentions of sharing some of the art projects the girls have done this year, but I just never seem to get around to it. But this was one I thought some of you might get a kick out of. A few nights ago, we did a family art project. We paired up and each did a drawing of our partner.

Sadie's depiction of daddy:

Daddy's depiction of Sadie:

Avery's depiction of mama:

Mama's depiction of Avery (no laughing, I'm a terrible artist!):

 

A measure of patience.

When people find out that I homeschool our two girls, the thing I hear the most often is, "I could never do that, I don't have the patience." Weeks like this, believe me, I wish that an extra measure of patience was granted to homeschooling mothers.

On the whole, I really love homeschooling the girls. I feel very fortunate that circumstances have worked out in such a way that I am able to homeschool them as well as run a photography studio. That said, there are days when it truly tries my patience and pushes me to the brink of insanity. Motherhood in general can do that, but teaching your own child seems to get you there even faster.

Perhaps it is the time of year, midway through the school year, eager for spring to show its face...I don't know exactly what it is, but this week has been a difficult one in the school department. Stubbornness has replaced compliance, defeat has overshadowed eagerness, and as a result, I am seeing my impatience rear its ugly head.

One evening this week, I told Seth that I was tempted to drop the children off at the local elementary school with a sign around their necks that read, "Please teach me, my mother can't take it anymore!!" But, like a sucker, I thought the next day would be better. It wasn't. This week has been one day after another of discouragement.

But I know it is just a phase. This too shall pass. Just means it is time to mix things up a bit, change of pace, change of scenery, hopefully a change of attitude somewhere along the way.

So, no, homeschool parents don't have any more patience, they just get the opportunity to exercise theirs more often.

First day of school.

Another school year begins in the Kappes household. The girls had mixed feelings about it. Both were excited, yet anxious about how much work it would be. I think that pretty much describes how I felt too. It is definitely more of a challenge to teach two than one. Takes more time, planning, discipline, patience.

I was feeling like I had a lot of balls in the air this morning. Some first day stress. But I managed to juggle things and we got everything done (and more) that I planned. I'm prepared for this year being one of the most difficult in terms of figuring out how to make everything work for two, but I'm looking forward to it as well.

At the end of the day, I looked back and realized that my stress had melted away throughout the day as I watched the girls do such a great job with everything. They are both hard workers and it is a pleasure to teach them. They are both eager to please. They have different styles of learning in some respects, but both enjoy learning very much.

Sadie has been a huge help to me these past few weeks listening to Avery practice her reading. She has been so incredibly patient and so good in helping Avery. She does things just the way that I do...the way she corrects, coaches, and lovingly instructs. They enjoy the time together and I know that Avery appreciates Sadie's help. Oh how I hope the same can be said years from now.

I'm so thankful to be able to teach them. It amazes me that everything is working so well together. Here's to another wonderful year of learning at "studio" school- yes, the girls call it studioschool rather than homeschool since they do their work at the studio rather than at home. They think it is a very clever name. :)

I usually do first day of school photos out in front of the house, but in the spirit of studioschool, we did them outside the studio this year.

Sadie- First Grade

 

 

Avery- Kindergarten