Here we GO!

As you may have noticed, I've neglected my blogs this summer an awful lot. Well, there gonna be neglected for a little bit longer. We're moving..... like.... now. The movers have been secured for Sunday and the boys will be going to Grans' today so Jeff and I can pack. Sunday morning the movers arrive at 8:15, we'll go to worship while they pack and upon arrival home we should all be able to make our trek out to "the yellow house" (as it has been named). There's lots going on, but no time to really chat... see you in a couple weeks maybe after I get my house put together!

Another Giveaway

I've got another Dairy Free cookbook up for grab over on my recipe blog!

Also, I've got a couple of giveaways coming to Boys Rule My Life in the next week or two. I've been contacted by a couple of companies to review their products and I think you'll be excited by what they have to offer you... stay tuned!

Cooking Quandries

If food allergies weren't enough, I've got:

• 1 that likes chicken casserole, 2 that don't
• 2 that like carrots, 1 that doesn't
• 1 that likes green peas, 2 that don't
• 2 that like green beans, 1 that doesn't
  
• 1 that likes broccoli all of the time, 1 some of the time, 1 none of the time
• 2 that like beef roast, 1 that doesn't
• 1 that likes fish, 2 that don't
• 2 that like fried rice, 1 that doesn't
• 1 that likes tacos, 1 that prefers burritos, 1 that doesn't
• 2 that like raisins, 1 that will only eat yogurt raisins
• 1 that likes sweet potatoes, 1 that sometimes likes them, 1 that won't touch them
• 2 that like "cheese", 1 that doesn't
• 2 that like "yogurt", 1 that doesn't
  

The list goes on..

I feel like a short order cook sometimes. What's a mom to do?

Dairy Free Cookbook Giveaway

Head over to my recipe blog for the giveaway!

Homeschooling Freak Out

You veteran HS moms knew this was coming... didn't you? :)

Ok... I'm starting to freak out (a bit, not too much yet... but still).

(Note to Jeff (who is away at the moment)... I'm ok. Just needed to vent for a minute... get my thoughts out of my head. I'm not in total freak out mode. Promise.)

School starts in less than a month. We have been so busy with packing and planning to move and my husband's crazy job schedule that I never got started on "getting into the groove" of reading more! I had high hopes for this summer with books, books, and more books. We've honestly read maybe 10 books in the last 6 weeks. Awful, I know.

Will (age 7 in Sept.), has very little interest in reading, although he can (on level). I suggested we get a book to start reading today and he balked. He'd much rather do something else... play trains, watch tv, watch youtube videos of trains, play in the sandbox, etc. How am I going to get this child to love reading?

He reads signs and random words around town. He'll ask how to spell things or, "What do these letters spell? D-R-I-V-E." I don't think he's behind in reading, I have just never seen him show an interest in reading a book on his own.

Secondly, I've started making a schedule of what I plan to accomplish each day for the first 9 weeks of the year. I have no idea what I'm doing. No idea how many days a week I need to teach math or writing or bible, etc. What to count as "school"? (ie Do Unplugged Projects count as art or is that just a "crafty" thing? Does it still count as "school"?)

I really want to take it slow and of course I really won't have a feel for it until I jump in so I'm just looking for some advice from someone that's been there.

How will I find that balance of knowing he's learning enough each day, but not overloading him (or myself) each day?

I recently spoke with a contact from our cover school and she was asking about which curriculum I've chosen for reading, math, science, social studies, etc. I kinda flipped out... I don't have anything specifically for Science, SS, History. I have a comprehensive curriculum that incorporates those, but nothing specific. Everything I've read says to focus on Reading, Writing, and Math in 1st grade. The other stuff will fall in later. When I asked my contact about that, she agreed; so, maybe I've got it together? I don't know.

I'm not expecting perfection, but I am expecting to ease into this (while jumping in at the same time). I am not holding unattainable goals of myself or the boys. I am really trying to make this an easy adjustment, but with moving and my husband's crazy schedule... well, I just needed to vent and ask some advice.

Thanks!

Quick Update

For those of you that aren't friends with me on Facebook... yes, we did return from our vacation. :) We are doing fine, but very busy! We've started packing for our move and hope to have the house on the market August 1st. I'm still gearing up for our first year of homeschooling which will begin August 10th (ish). Jeff will be traveling for a good chunk of the month as well. Lots going on, no real time to sit and blog about it, though.

I guess it's time for a bloggy break! Have a great summer!