Busy week

We are all happy that it is weekend :) Though I often think we should have Monday off, because Sunday is just as busy as the rest of the week with going to church and youth group. We tried that one, it made for a rather short week and didn't give us enough time to finish our schoolwork. So, I sat down and prayed about it for while. Then last week, God gave me great ideas. I have revamped our schedule and things work out much better. We do have to get up early though, at about 6 am. However, that puts us into bed much earlier as well. Staying up late and just looking around on Pinterest and such is my vice. Now I am too tired to stay up late and we get up early. I have set up a rotating cleaning schedule. We now clean everyday for about 20-30 min, which gives me roughly between 80 and 120 min of "cleaning power". We do this all week and by the time weekend rolls around, we are done with school AND work! Yeah! We get to enjoy the Saturday without any chores :)  Maybe I will able to blog about that this week.
Our school went very well and I am very proud of the kids. They all worked hard on their school and chores. My oldest told me tonight that she doesn't even feel guilty for not doing anything today. I really like this new organization :)

He likes to learn this way...

It's All About Spelling and he got it :)

Friday we had our Science Fair at co-op. Jeremy wanted to Oobleck, aka Science goo, aka cornstarch and water. He had fun doing it and especially playing with the ooey, gooey stuff. His presentation was pretty good as well, even though he didn't win a prize.

Pinewood Derby

Today was the Pinewood Derby Race with the Scouts. My little guy was very excited and full of hopes to win. It was really interesting to see all those young boys so excited that they could hardly stand still. Everyone was busy talking, laughing, weighing their cars in. It is an interesting study to watch these boys in the intense moments :)
Well, after a few heats it became clear that Jeremy would not be a winner. He didn't take it so well, but that gave me a great chance to talk about character. On the way home we had tears but also a good talk about how to deal with disappointment. If one should just feel sorry or take it as a challenge to put in a little more effort next time. What can we do to learn from this? How do we learn from this? Well, we decided to look at some websites and find out why the car wasn't fast enough. If it is a design issue, he will research which design is more aerodynamic. Well, you get the idea. It is always hard for a mom's heart to see her children sad and disappointed. Yet, it is also a good time to teach them how to overcome these all to common things in life. So, all in all it was a good day and even though my little guy might not think so now, it was an important lesson for him :)

The brown car with the # 22 is his. I like it ......

Very excited for the race.....

You are invited, it's free :)

Our homeschool co-op is hosting a Parental Rights workshop. I guess most of you know about us having to leave Germany and moving to the US because we were in danger of loosing our parental rights because we homeschool, which is against the law in Germany. It is such a blessing to be able to educate your children in this kind of freedom one has here in America. However, this freedom is now in danger. What if you don't homeschool? I am glad you asked that question, because it still concerns you! If you have children this concerns you! If you have grandchildren this concerns you! If you want to keep your freedom this concerns you! You need to know what's coming your way and what to do about it. This is why this workshop is important. So, grab your spouse or a friend or grandparent and come out to listen for a short while. You owe it to yourself and your children - plus we have snacks ;-)

Click to see the bigger picture (haha punny)

A new chapter in my life.....

I am now officially forced to start a new chapter in my life. How is that you ask? Well, my oldest daughter got her driver's permit. Actually she got is about three weeks ago, but somehow it wasn't all that "official" until she got the actual card yesterday. Deep sigh.....yes, now I have to let her drive! It is a very, very strange thing to see your child behind the wheel of a vehicle, which is not a toy car. Now I have to trust her judgement, phew. I will say though, that she is driving pretty good. She didn't have a change to drive much yet, but she doing well. Only - semi trucks make her want to squish over onto the shoulder of the road. I thought that was scary, not the semi, but her reaction to it. So how do professional driving instructors do this? She did tell me that I am not a very good driving instructor. Hhm, maybe something to work on? I am sure that she will be good driver some day, she just needs actual experience. This is the beginning of her life as a young, independent, very lovely woman. This is the first of what will be many bittersweet changes in our lives....... Though, I am very proud of her :D