Church activities kept me busy -from teaching Sunday School to Voter's Meetings to a fundraiser dinner that I helped to host. The dinner was a very unique idea. The school's parent organization cooked the dinner and asked that each table have a hostess. My friend Brigette and I hosted a table. Each hostess was responsible for decorating the table in a theme of their choice. We decided to go with a Caribbean theme, as you can see by the photo. The best part was the live beta fish in the vases that served as our centerpieces. It was the talk of the evening! We also began new activities for the girls - ice skating lessons twice a week. I know, I'm crazy right? With dance lessons twice a week for Katelyn and once a week for Brittany why add something else? The girls really wanted to try ice skating last semester but I could not fit it into our schedule at that time. We decided to start in February. Katelyn and Brittany love it and have improved dramatically. It's so interesting to watch their different learning styles emerge on the ice. Katelyn still rushes at everything she learns. When her group practices skating across the rink, she is determined to try and finish first. Which means she falls down every now and then! Brittany is a very patient learner. She does not really seem to care that she is the last one to cross the line - just that she does it right and does not fall.
February also brought with it a decision about schooling. It was enrollment time at Holy Trinity and we sat down and decided the girls would return to school at Holy Trinity in the fall. We knew when we began homeschooling in January that it would probably only be for one semester. I still believe homeschooling is the preferred method to teaching the kids. There are so many things about homeschooling that I do like. However, our circumstances mean that I am responsible for practically al aspects of the kids' lives with no other adult help or reprieve for myself. If we lived in town with family and Kevin did not have to work so many hours I would keep homeschooling. However, that is just not our reality. I know there is a great network of homeschoolers out there to help support each other in this endeavor. However, support from friends is not the same as support at home from family. And that is what I need most. Our circumstances just don't provide for that.
I admire everyone out there that homeschools. I know what an awesome sacrifice it is and also how rewarding it can be for parents. Homeschooling is still going to be part of our lives as I will hve Jackson at home with me next year. Kevin and I decided to keep him home and not send him to preschool 2 mornings a week in the fall. I know that putting a child in preschool is the thing to do as soon as they are old enough to go. However, neither of us really believes it is that beneficial for his development at this time.
I am looking forward to returning to Holy Trinity. I have actually missed being a part of the school. I am excited for Brittany because she will have Katelyn's 1st grade teacher, Mrs. Cyr, and we absolutely loved her. She is an amazing teacher. We have also heard great things about the 3rd grade teacher. Of course, there are things about the school I may not always agree with. However, at least I know the curriculum is sound and they are in an environment that I believe is better for them than the public schools.
That being said, we are taking advantage of our homeschooling schedule and going to Colorado for a vacation. We'll be in Colorado for a conference that Kevin is attending and then heading to a rustic log cabin for a few days in the mountains. The kids are excited about seeing the mountains and the snow. It will be a nice little trip for us.
So I have lots of packing and laundry to get done before we head out. I'll try and come back with great photos of the kids mountainside!
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