Tales of a Homeschool Nothing ~ Back to School Part 1 ~ A Party, The Cow, Hairbows, & Kindergarten

WOW! According to that title, we've been BUS-Y. And, yes we have, we always are! But, with all of my planning, things didn't go exactly the way I thought they would...... imagine that!

Makenzie's FIRST day of Kindergarten

We really made a big fuss Sunday night & again Monday morning about it being Makenzie's very first day of school. She was excited, we were excited, then it hit me..... I hadn't "planned" for the 1st day of kindergarten! You can't just jump right into working on the very first day of kindergarten!!! So I quickly adjusted & we played with new school supplies, read fun books, & talked about our upcoming year.  Then we got back on schedule.

The Cow
(you REALLY DON'T want a picture of this one)

During our lunch break on Monday, we found out that one of our cows would soon have her calf. Austin just lives for anything farm related & he has obsessed over this cow for over a month now, anxiously waiting & watching for this calf. So, being the wonderful, ingenious parent/teacher I am, I let both of them take off with the hopes of a life lesson being learned. Well, with life being what it is, she never did have that calf on Monday......

The Party

Our homeschool group had a Back to School Party Monday night. We ate, we socialized (yep, got that issue taken care of for the whole year- lol), we ate, we played in the water, & we ate. I think that they all had a great time!

Hairbows



This is just the 3rd -8th graders.

 I have been making hairbows for the East Wilkes Sertoma Cheerleading squad. This has been a HUGE undertaking
(60-some all together), especially with everything else going on plus a new baby. It has taken a little longer than I expected. So considering that the 1st game is Saturday & I wasn't done, we took Tuesday off. Yes, you heard me, the second day of school & already taking a break! Don't you wish that I had been your teacher in school?! hahaha
We ended up taking Wednesday off too! I told you, these hairbows were taking longer than I thought!


Back to The Cow

... So, we waited on nature to take its course ALL day Tuesday as well. The vet was called, the cow was prepped for a c-section & a hysterectomy because she was so young. We wait & we wait...sounds just like a human birth! Late into the evening my father in law called & told Justin to get over there because (& I quote) "this is something that God has never seen before! Well, needless to say, this had us all curious. My first thought, honestly, was "what did a horse breed with her"? Yeah, I know, but it was so funny & I was in the moment! .... wait, wait, wait, wait (because I was at the house & Justin was at the farm) ... Long story short-ish = the calf was severely deformed. The vet said it was a 1 in a billion case & wished he had a jar big enough to preserve it. The momma cow ended up dying overnight & a life lesson was taught. It just wasn't exactly the one I thought it would be. That's what I get for trying to plan again!

Now, hopefully we can get back on schedule.

Tales of a Homeschool Nothing ~ Ready or Not

Can someone PLEASE tell me just what happened to summer?!?! It has passed us by in a HOT blur! Somehow, summer seemed a lot shorter this year than it did last year. Last year, we went swimming at least 2-3 times every week, we enjoyed the free movies in Jonesville, we participated in 3 library programs, we cooked out, we had friends over, & we went camping. This year, we still went to 2 different library programs & loved the free movies. My kids also enjoyed 3 different Bible Schools and they spent some time at the pool but for some crazy reason, I don't have a tan! Oh yeah, I remember, we added Logan! He pretty much monopolized ALL of my time. I literally went to the pool 5 times all summer long & 2 of those were at night! Not to mention, it was too hot to do much of anything outside most of the summer.

Well, anyway, as summer draws to a close, my thoughts turn to cooler nights, crisp air, colorful leaves, football, & school ......

Wait, did I just say school? Holy cow! Really? Already?

I have been planning & praying & worrying & buying curriculum & worrying & planning & praying & obsessing & researching & praying & worrying & planning & organizing & ... did I mention planning? What about worrying? Well, I've been praying too! (this is where my OCD / "CDO" comes in at)

We had a good year last year, so what did I do? I decided to CHANGE EVERYTHING! bwaahahaha Yep, I couldn't leave well enough alone. Not only did I change curriculums, but I am adding a Kindergartner & a baby! Gluten for punishment, I guess.

I really am excited about the upcoming year though & the kids seem to be too!

So, in a mad last minute frenzy nicely organized manner, my husband graciously helped me redo our bookcases. YEAH!!! We are really cramped for room, so we have to make do with the kitchen table. (oh, what I wouldn't give for a brightly lit, spacious room with.......oh sorry, I was dreaming again)

Ready or not - Monday here we come!

 

 

Our "current" bookcase.
This holds most everything that
we should need for this year.
We are also trying out
 WORK BOXES.
Hopefully this will help with
the simplicity & organization!



 



My Calendar.
As you can see, its still in the bag ~
Hopefully we can start soon!



I LOVE Brian Quest!

Thankfully, the kids do too!



  

File Folder Games

 



History





History & Science



Reference & Literature





Art



Flashcards

Why Does This Drink Taste Funny?



The kids got a little confused when
Justin asked them to load the
dishwasher because he was going
to mop. They  tried to wash the
dishes in the mop water.



I'm not sure about your family, but here at the Bauguess Manor, I am not the maid. Wait, let me repeat myself so that my husband & kids heard me..... I AM NOT THE MAID!!!





Hold up, who am I kidding? Unfortunately I get stuck um, blessed with the majority of the household duties. I'm sure its like that in most homes. That's ok, I really (choke) don't (choke) mind (choke). At least, most of the time, I don't mind. What I do mind is when everyone starts leaving their "stuff" laying around until I get aggravated enough to pick it up. Like I said, I'm not the maid.

Austin mowing for the first time.
His feet don't even reach
all the way down.

I do insist that my kids (husband too - hehe) help with the chores & when I really mean it, they really pitch in. Amazing.....maybe I should use my "are you mad" voice more often! It seems to scare inspire them to do things.

 So anyway, we do believe in child labor around here & it doesn't matter what our government says, there's no "law" against it! The big down side to all of this help is simply the fact that if someone else does the job, it might not be just exactly the way that I like it. Sorry, its that overly obsessive, controlling nature in me! The up side is that my kids are learning to be responsible, self reliant, & part of a team.....I HOPE!


Makenzie canning pickles.





Logan surpervising!

Well mannered ... or just a good actor?

A lady stopped me today as we were getting ready to leave the movie theatre. She wanted to tell me just how well mannered she thought Austin was. He was helping me get the stroller back into the car & then he was waiting patiently while this lady (who was parked beside us) got into her car. I just smiled & told her Thank You! On the inside, my heart was singing!

Every mother (& parent for that matter) loves when someone has something positive to say about their children. It makes us feel like we have done something right. Well, I'm no different. I felt proud of how my son was behaving. ............... Hold that thought!



Look, its SPIDER-AUSTIN



My kids are no different than any others. They are not perfect by any means! They get silly, lazy, & sassy. They love each other just as much as they fight with each other. Even on our worst days (& TRUST ME, we have plenty), I consider myself lucky because I've seen the way some other kids act ...... (If you are reading this, I'm NOT talking about your kids! - hahaha)!



Do you STILL think they are well behaved?
I mean seriously! He's hog tying his sister!!!



Now, back to that being proud thing. You know what they say, "Pride comes before the fall."



The remainder of our day was not worth diddly! For some reason, EVERYTIME my kids (especially Austin) get a compliment, it becomes some kind of contest or determination that they prove it wrong! WHY????

I thought most kids liked getting bragged on, but it has awful effects on mine. So please, for my sanity, try to limit your compliments....... at least in front of my children ;)

God's Plans

I don't have the answers in this life, I never thought or claimed that I do, but thankfully God does!

"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and

not of evil, to give you an expected end." Jeremiah 29:11

No, this wasn't the first thought that came to my mind last night, I won't talk about that - I am human & I did ask forgiveness. But asI lay in bed crying, God brought that comforting thought by my way.

We found out last night that Justin was losing his job. Today is his last day. I'm not a math whiz or anything, but if I counted right, that's......1 days notice! We knew it was probably going to happen, but a little notice would have been nice.

Oh, & last I checked we are a 1 income family, so ... (yet again, no expert) if you only have 1 income & you take away that income, that seems to equal ...... NOTHING, ZIP, ZERO, NADA!!!!!!

So, I'm sure you can understand my uneasiness.

Lord, I really am trying not to be mad, sad, hurt, anxious, doubting, anything but trusting.

Use Me!

***** This really should have been written last week, so let's pretend it was! ;) *****

We have had a couple of rough weeks here on the Bauguess Hill. Just different things have seemed to be going "wrong" left & right. Through it all, I haven't understood much. but my prayer has been "God, just use us for your Glory."

Don't ask God for to use you if you are not ready.....

I was asked to sing at church the Sunday morning that Logan was dedicated. I hadn't sung in a while & I hadn't been practicing, so I was no where near ready. Plus, I was hurt angry that my mom chose not to come to the dedication &, like I said, it hadn't been the greatest around here the past few days, so I said that I couldn't do it.  I immediately felt bad & remembered my request for God to use me, so I knew I had to sing. I cried through most of the song, but that's ok. Thank you God for using me.

Then, we found out Justin was preaching Youth Sunday. Thank you God for using him.

We have had a burden for the youth for some time - I guess that's why we are the Youth Directors, huh. One family in particular I haven't been able to get off my mind, but didn't really understand why. When we decided to take it upon ourselves to start picking up these children for church, it sunk in. Even though this meant that Justin & I needed to drive separately every time to church, & he got to drive my (precious & extremely convenient) Suburban in order to fit 5 extra kids, & who knows how much gas this was using (driving from Elkin to Rock Creek), we believed this to be God's will.

The earthly costs of bringing those children to church will never compare to the Heavenly rewards!

THANK YOU GOD FOR USING US!

A Little More Milk Please

 If you are not a mother or are not passionate about nursing your babies, then you probably won't understand my heartbreak or the determination behind these decisions.

I breastfed Austin & Makenzie both, but not for long. When Austin was born, I was young & unsure of a lot of things. I was also very timid about breastfeeding him around other people. So instead of leaving the room, using a blanket, or finding some other way to nurse him, I would just give him a bottle. I didn't seek advice or encouragement. No one told me that babies usually had a growth spurt when they are about 3 weeks old. So when he started wanting to eat all the time, I thought that I was starving him. I gave up shortly after that.

Then, when I had Makenzie, I made another attempt at providing the best nutrition for my child. I was a little older & a little more secure with who I was, so I made more of an effort to nurse her. We made lots of trips to public bathrooms or back out to the car. This worked fine....until I had to return to work. My office was, um, lukewarm about accommodating my need to pump, to say the least. My continued desire to breastfed was also hindered by the fact that my beautiful little daughter passed her thrush infection on to me. OUCH! So this time, we made it for 3 or 4 months.

When I got pregnant with Logan, I was so excited about the fact that I would have another opportunity at nursing. This time, I wouldn't have to worry about daycare or returning to work. I could just take my time with him & feed him however I chose. I am much more confident in my values, needs, & desires, not only when it comes to his nutrition, but also in every aspect concerning my children. I knew that I wanted to breastfed my baby for a full year. I had no desire at all to introduce a bottle anytime soon.

Well, we made it through that infamous growth spurt. I have also made HUGE progress with the fact that I have nursed Logan in public - not a bathroom (covered up, of course). I have also been able to feed him while walking around & shopping. That was no easy task let me assure you, but I was ecstatic about being able to accomplish this!

Unfortunately, we hit a snag. After a few weeks dealing with acid reflux, an upset tummy, constant crying spells, & too many evenings with a need to eat every hour on the hour, I am exhausted. I don't get nearly as much milk when I pump anymore & I feel like Logan is always hungry.

I finally broke down & gave him a bottle. And I cried the whole time he was eating. I feel like I have failed at the most primal level of motherhood. I don't understand why I can't satisfy this basic need.

I am no where near ready to give up, but I never dreamed I would be facing this decision so soon with him. I am hoping that my decreased milk supply is due to my iron level being too low, too many Mt. Dews, & not enough water. If that's the case, then this should be an easy fix.