Homeschool and Time4Learning

Okay, so I've been out of touch with the blogosphere since Jonny started Kindergarten.  I'd thought I'd be less busy once my youngest started school, but no.  Anyway, since then we decided to make the move to homeschooling.  This was a tough call for us, but in the end, the right call for our family, at least for now.  Jonny is dyslexic and has ADHD.  Anna struggles with math but is YEARS ahead in language arts.  Because of this, a traditional classroom just wasn't working for either of them.  And then there was Ellie.  She was doing great.  As long as you consider being sexually harassed and spending 3-4 hours a night on homework in the 6th grade great.  She had good grades, but wasn't happy and didn't have time to pursue things that interested her.  Add to all of that the discipline problems that were prevalent at the school and it created a perfect storm that convinced us to do what we swore we would never do.  Homeschool.

When we started this adventure, I wanted to go with the option that would be easiest for me.  Selfish, I know.  But I didn't have any idea how to homeschool and didn't want to screw up my kids.  So we chose to use K-12.  It was the Individual Learning Plan that sold me.  Every child was supposed to be able to learn at their own pace.  Turned out to be not true at all.  So, this wasn't working great for us.  And it was NOT easy for me.  But I won't get into that.  In the midst of our first semester, Ellie and I were in a car accident that turned our lives upside down.  I'm not going to go into detail about that either, except to say that it's hard to help your kids when you have constant back and neck pain, horrible headaches and difficulty concentrating and understanding things.  About a month after the accident, Jonathan suggested that we might have to put the kids back in school.  I was heartbroken.  I loved having them at home and really wanted to make things work.

At this point, I got back in touch with an old friend who homeschooled.  Her kids had used Time4Learning for years and her oldest had just been accepted into a very competitive college.  My curiosity was piqued, so I looked into it and was thrilled with what I found.

First, and most importantly for right now, Time4Learning allowed us the flexibility we needed.  Jonny could take the classes at his own pace.  Anna could work on 4th grade math and 7th grade language arts because they allow you access to lessons one grade above and one grade below the level you choose.  And Ellie now had time to spend on things she loved, like art.  And with the back pain that she was suffering from, the ability to do lessons any time, any place, to work around physical therapy appointments was priceless!  And she was even able to work on her tablet from the couch when pain prevented her from sitting in a chair any longer.  The flexibility made homeschool totally doable for us.  Add to that great customer service any time I call with questions, and a low monthly price, and we were happy.  And still are!  We are doing it again this year and I'm so glad that we have found a way to make homeschooling work for our family.

As a member of Time4Learning, I have been asked to review their online education program and share my experiences. While I was compensated, this review was not written or edited by Time4Learning and my opinion is entirely my own. Write your own curriculum review or learn how to use their curriculum for homeschool, after school study or summer learning.

First Day of School 2011

Ellie is in 4th grade this year and is super excited about being old enough for art club!

Both girls made darling cards to give to their new teachers on the first day.

Anna, Anna, Anna.  What can I say?  This little social butterfly just can't wait to see her friends! :)

And Jonny, my baby, is starting Kindergarten...

I held back the tears until I left his class room.  I'm glad Jonathan works from home so that I wasn't too lonely.  He even took me out to lunch.

And this is what awaited the kids when they got home...

I'm sure only Portal fans will get it.

They were delighted!



Ellie's Baptism Day

Ellie's baptism day was an exceptionally beautiful day. It was so exciting to see our daughter make such an important decision. She is a delightful girl with a strong spirit and a very giving heart. We are so happy that she is part of our eternal family.

Both sets of Grandparents, as well as the Thigpins and the Astons joined us for a celebration afterwards.


Grammy made Ellie a lovely dress to be baptized in, although she requested to be baptized in our pool, we conformed and she was baptized at the stake center with 3 other children from her class. There are 19 kids in our ward getting baptized this year. We LOVE having a huge primary.

Marshmallows

Our first order of business after closing on the house, weeks before we actually moved in, was to test out the fire pit. Smores when ever you want them. Awesome!

Ellie and Anna got pretty cool doll houses from Santa this year. Grammy happened to talk to Santa and was able to get some nice stables forl the girls' dolls.

Jonny got his millenium falcon:

Thanksgiving

Emily and Jacob made it down to our neck of the woods for Thanksgiving and luckily made time to hang out with us for a while. We enjoyed dinner... actually, enjoyed is a bit strong. We tolerated dinner and enjoyed good company at Marie Calendar's and had a blast at Bass Pro Shop which was sporting quite elaborate holiday decor complete with Santa's village full of slot cars, and shooting, and games to delight kids and grown men alike!

White Tank Mountains

These are the foothills of the beautiful White Tank Mountains, about a 10 minute drive from our doorstep. And no, they are not named after a big, ugly water tank as so many have asked, but after the huge crevices carved out of the white granite in the mountains as a result of rushing water when the big rains come.

It was tough for Jonny to appreciate the beauty of the interesting plant life without touching it. Thus, the tears. But it's not what you think. While running toward the catcus to try to hug it, he failed to listen to his father's warning. Jonathan was able to grab him before catastrophe befell us, but Jonny's little heart was broken.

After a bit of exploring, we enjoyed lunch in the great outdoors. Is there any better way to spend a Saturday?