the journey continues

We have had a headcold…it seems like forever but I think it’s been about 2 weeks.  First the littles had it and they woke me up for medicine between baby feedings but they went back to sleep as soon as they could breath again.  Then the youngest got it and I got it…he couldn’t breath laying down so kept either my hubby or I up all night for a couple days.  Baby was the only one to get a fever, but the doctor checked and no ear infections.  Now he’s mostly past it but still waking for normal feedings.  Last weekend my hubby let me sleep about 12 hours one day, and I was getting better, then it slowly crept back up.  Today I feel much better, but am exhausted.  I know I can’t sleep another 12 hours but I sure would like to.  I am so ready for this head cold to be GONE!

We recently changed typing programs.  JP has been using Typer Island since Kindergarten and was ready for a change.  He has "beat" it 3 times.  MG has never enjoyed typing but was doing pretty well with the program.  We purchased Mavis Beacon for Kids.  Both boys seem to like the program much better.  MG no longer is upset about needing to do typing.  He recommends that you start with Mavis Beacon because if you don’t reach your goal you can move forward.  If you are using Typer Island it makes you repeat the same lesson until you reach your goal.  Both programs use games to help your child learn the placement of the keys and let you set the goals. 

My difficult, loveable, sensitive, fit prone child has been a joy…his goal for Lent is to quit whinning (wine-ing, not sure how to spell it and can’t look it up right now with baby sleeping on my lap and 2 year old playing on my foot)  The past 3 mornings he has gotten up, had breakfast, completed math and done at least 1/2 of his school work before having a melt down.  Now that he is trying I can see what I might be able to do to help!  We need to plan in a snack at about 10:30, he melts around 11 so I’m guessing that hunger is part of his issue. 

We will probably still go with the VA, but maybe if he gets himself under control we won’t need to.  It would be much easier if I don’t have to log for someone else what we are doing, and if he’s not having fits maybe I can get back to keeping track so that we progress as we should.

for anyone that stumbles on my last post I thought I’d update some.  I have wonderful friends.  I have received calls and a meal to help cope with the difficult times.  I feel loved. 

That said, we are still considering using the virtual academy.  We have decided to start with a single (pay for yourself) course for the area that we are having the most difficulty with.  We know that it will not have the same pressures as the school isn’t supervising it but it will give us an idea what to expect.  The placement test shows that we were not as far behind as we thought…our 7th grader tested in at mid 6th grade instead of 4th for grammar and had 97% for reading which I believe if it was possible to sort apart would have scored ahead in 8th grade as we believe. 

Our boy also scored in at 6th grade for math and we KNOW he is doing Algebra 1/2, so we are not sure how much is the math version and how much is testing.  We expect that will be an issue if we do enroll next year but that should be the only problem.  I spoke to the P.A.L.  (Personal Admissions Liason) today and she already has him placed in LA 7 instead of 8 for next year with the expectation that he will be caught up to at least that point but possibly not to 8th grade.

I know that my children are learning more at home then they would at a school.  I also know that I am failing to teach them as much as they could be learning.  I hope that having some more accountability and support will help to give my children more.  I also am keeping in mind that if this is not a fit for our family I can simply turn in the letter and we can drop out again.

I feel ok with my child being a little behind in writing…the same child was almost placed in "special ed" because he couldn’t write…his writing is legible, his typing is 30 wpm, his vocabulary and reading are at or above par…I still want more for him.  I want his scores to reflect his ability, I want to learn how to help him get past the point he is now at…I hope the K12 program can help me with this, but if not we will move on to the next thing.  All the while my "difficult" child will get a taste of "real" school that I hope will help him to appriciate not doing the busy work and perhaps prepare him for a return to home school our way if it doesn’t work out.

Thanks for the concern, I appriciate any and all prayers but really it’s not as dire as it sounds