Life at Oak Grove

It's a calm morning right now... Everyone is sleeping, husband went to a prayer meeting early (530am) and I am waiting for our employees to show up...  

We had a great evening last night, surprising my in-laws for their upcoming 40th anniversary (on Sept 16th).   We gave them a memory book with old pictures of them and wishes from most of their brothers and sisters as well as us.   Also included was a gift certificate to have a brunch on the steam train in the region on their anniversary.   I also made the cake that everyone seemed to enjoy.   My two sister-in-laws took care of the supper (salads and main course).   It was delicious...

Only thing that happened is that one of my brother-in-law had to go to the hospital because a piece of something went into his eye while he was cutting it (he works in construction).   The miracle is that he didn't damaged his eye to the point to loose it.   God protected him...  However, everyone told him to wear his safety glasses next time...  but he doesn't like them.   I think he knows now how important it is.

Our pastor did an error like that not too long ago...  He had removed the safety guard on a chainsaw and he ended up cutting his leg...  Pretty bad cut on his thigh.  Ouch!   Now he is okay... but still why risking it???

My dear friend is back from hospital.   Last week, she got operated for a knee replacement.  She is in pain from what it looks like.   I really need to go see her...   Must find the time somehow next week...   I will try to call her amidst my many things to do today!

... while I was at cooking class with Dominic and Jérémy, Alexandre did some typing with the Typing Tutor and some Rosetta Stone.  We had done 1 hour of French reading and writing.   It was hard at times because he takes it personally when he can't do it.  So I cut the word in pieces and he can do it.

Anyhow, while I was at the class, the school called asking why Alexandre was not in school this morning.   I've sent the letter about two weeks ago believe it or not but they did not open the mail since then... NO COMMENTS HERE!!!

So I had to call back to tell them when I have sent the letter.  When I talked to one of the secretaries, I asked her if I will get some sort of official notification about this.   She told me she didn't know how it works since it was the first time they were seeing something like that....  from a French Catholic School.   I guess homeschooling in Ontario is mostly for English parents somehow...  Why isn't it  more popular in the French community I wonder.

Talking to one aunt of my husband last night, she told me she would have liked doing this but since she didn't have an university degree, she couldn't.   I told her that you don't have to have an university degree to do this.  She seemed surprised and said "Isn't the government verify?"  I told her that no, they don't.   In Ontario it is pretty flexible... not like other provinces or states or countries around the globe.   Anyhow, she encouraged me and told me she was supporting my decision.   That was nice.   I know it won't be easy at times and when the baby will be there, it might be quite busy but I am hoping that Alexandre will be able to read a bit by then... and read the instructions by himself.

Today is the day were the French Catholic School Board is officially starting school.  The bus stop is literally in front of my house...  and I was checking the two kids who were going to take the bus this morning thinking how glad I was my son wouldn't have to be rushed out of the house to take the bus.  You see the bus arrives at 7:35am and school starts at 8:10am or so.   Alexandre had breakfast and we did his devotion this morning.   After my breakfast and feeding the baby, we sat at the dining table and started school.   This morning reading and writing in French.   Then while I go to a cooking course with the two younger ones, he will stay home with dad and do Rosetta Stone and practicing his typing with the Typing Tutor.   He loves it.  

So far so good.   We are doing well.  Missed it last week when he was at VBS at a church in our city...  So I guess it is a good sign right?

... on jeans (and in nature don't take me wrong)... 

I had my ultrasound this week.  After verifying four times, the technicians said it looks like it is a GIRL!   But she wouldn't said it with a lot of affirmation.  I was wondering why and asked my OB the next morning.  He said that a couple got told that they would have a certain sex but when they gave birth surprise, it was the other sex...  So now it is possible that they will sued because the things that they got was for what they had been told to get.   

As for us, having a girl would be nice... and different.  At least I won't be the one woman in the house.   Anyhow, we got a little PJ at Costco and we showed that PJ to tell the family (well the ones we saw anyway).   When husband told his brother, he got told that he had a dream about us having a girl...  And believe me, dreams coming from my brother-in-law are powerful.  Would you believe that way before I came in my husband life, he had a dream about me...  well not me as seeing me but husband presented his wife-to-be to him and the lady had a jean jacket (which represented the tough side of me - yah right! and at the same time was soft....).   He looked at his brother and said Oh ya I know her...   Bizarre would you say, well I did meet my brother-in-law before meeting my future husband and I do have a jean jacket with had a little bunny clipped on it.   Anyway.   His dreams are always interesting.  So we shall see when I have my c-section in December right?  For now, we won't splurge on girly clothes and pink toys.   

Even though I am dying to shop pink and purple and butterflies and dragonflies and ladybugs and tinkerbell and princesses...  A few more months to wait...  Patience is a virtue.

These days I feel like staying in bed.   Alexandre and Dominic are at day camp - one being full day and the otehr half day.  Still I wish I could just be by myself.   Anyone felt like that before?

Today was very hard on me somehow...   I was a bit snappy with the kids this morning.   Wish I wasn't feeling like this.  Hate it to be honest.

I feel as though my whole schedule for homeschooling is off the chart...   I will have to get back into routine next week.   Arg!

A field trip to Upper Canada Village is coming.   Good I need this...  Hopefully hubby will be able to come.

A trip to Toronto on Sept. 1st is a possibility.  If we can't find a babysitter then husband will go by himself.  He wants to check out Sound Ministry which is described as " unlike any club, unlike any church, we combine prayer, worship, spoken word and community with dance, creativity and modern styles of electronic music."   Sounds a bit like H.E.A.T. our church plant to be honest...

... and I got the usual comments about homeschooling...

You must be wondering what the heck I am talking about...

I just called my mom. Asked her if she heard about homeschooling... oh boy!!! She told me that she thinks the only people who could do that should be people who had an education in teaching... Bottom line, I don't think she approves...

She got very emotional at one point and talked about the famous "SOCIALIZATION"... I was expecting this. I told her that Alexandre will be having contact with other children via other activities... swimming, Sunday school and hopefully the co-op. If co-op do not work, I will look into something else that is weekly... which reminds me I need to e-mail a friend about a christian club going on in the city. Can't remember the name...

Anyhow, next week, there will be lots of socialization with the SonForce vbs at a local church. No worries about this. Alexandre loves to be with others.

She also asked me if he had any say in the decision. Which we did told him and he wanted to do it.

Know what? Alexandre is not as stressed about school as he was going to school. He does not chew his nails these days. As a matter of fact, I had to cut his nails today because they were long. He won't learn about the fact that a man can marry another man via other kids, he won't spend a lot of time watching television, he won't be unsupervised in his classroom, he won't have to fight for the attention of the teacher... My letters are mailed now. He loves MathUSee and the other things we do. Now that we are doing well with these things, I feel more confident to incorporate a bit more of art or field trips. I needed some time to get adjusted... now I am more confident. Even Dominic is learning a bit. I am relieved now... no more hiding - everyone in our family knows...

A small prayer request for my friends.

Dominic's has a lazy eye (left side). What is a lazy eye? you might asked. Well it has a tendency to go inward (ie toward the nose). So we need to see a specialist for this and I won't get an appointment until mid-october. My family doctor said it could be either glasses or a patch. We shall see. In the meantime, I pray that it will correct itself or at least not get worse.

Thanks for praying for him!

I've been pondering about a name for our school....

I like Oak Grove Academy. My husband prefers Testosterone School. No comments here.

Who knows what will be the sex of the new baby. If it's a boy - then maybe testosterone school might be a better fit... but still I don't see a school named like this.

Oak Grove... An oak is a strong tree that comes from a small nut. It is able to go through storms with no problems, unless it is a tornado mind you... but it is still a strong tree. Grove is a small wooded are or plantation. My children ar emy small plantation... I tend to them, I guide them to grow strong and I teach them.

For these reasons, I like Oak Grove Academy. Sounds good don't you think? I want to print an offical page and frame it at the side of my office where I keep all the schooling supplies. We officially do school in the dining room though. So the frame will be in between the office and the dining room.

So welcome to Oak Grove Academy.

We wrote the letter, it got revised bu HSLDA Canada, we printed it, we signed it... it is now in an envelop waiting to be mailed... Along with an official copy to HSLDA Canada and another one for the school board!

Homeschooling is going well. Alexandre is zipping through MathUSee these days. He wants to do two lessons per day. I need to control it... But with Phonics and French, we are busy. I am at peace. No doubts in my mind. Still have to officially tell my mom though but these days I don't care about her reaction.

I realized that Alexandre is happy, he doesn't eat his nails anymore (something he was doing while at school), so it is a good thing. Dominic is learning some letters and numbers - printing and counting. It is nice. It is a bit hard to keep Jérémy busy but at times he goes play with blocks and then come to draw. Dominic's attention is not as big as Alexandre's but when he is tired, he takes off and go play with his little brother. Life is good so far...

... and I got the usual comments about homeschooling...

You must be wondering what the heck I am talking about...

I just called my mom.   Asked her if she heard about homeschooling... oh boy!!!   She told me that she thinks the only people who could do that should be people who had an education in teaching...  Bottom line, I don't think she approves...

She got very emotional at one point and talked about the famous "SOCIALIZATION"...   I was expecting this.   I told her that Alexandre will be having contact with other children via other activities... swimming, Sunday school and hopefully the co-op.   If co-op do not work, I will look into something else that is weekly... which reminds me I need to e-mail a friend about a christian club going on in the city.  Can't remember the name...

Anyhow, next week, there will be lots of socialization with the SonForce vbs at a local church.  No worries about this.  Alexandre loves to be with others.

She also asked me if he had any say in the decision.  Which we did told him and he wanted to do it.

Know what?  Alexandre is not as stressed about school as he was going to school.   He does not chew his nails these days.  As a matter of  fact, I had to cut his nails today because they were long.   He won't learn about the fact that a man can marry another man via other kids, he won't spend a lot of time watching television, he won't be unsupervised in his classroom, he won't have to fight for the attention of the teacher...   My letters are mailed now.   He loves MathUSee and the other things we do.   Now that we are doing well with these things, I feel more confident to incorporate a bit more of art or field trips.   I needed some time to get adjusted... now I am more confident.   Even Dominic is learning a bit.   I am relieved now...  no more hiding - everyone in our family knows...

I've been pondering about a name for our school....

I like Oak Grove Academy.   My husband prefers Testosterone School.  No comments here.

Who knows what will be the sex of the new baby.   If it's a boy - then maybe testosterone school might be a better fit... but still I don't see a school named like this.

Oak Grove...  An oak is a strong tree that comes from a small nut.    It is able to go through storms with no problems, unless it is a tornado mind you... but it is still a strong tree.   Grove is a small wooded are or plantation.    My children ar emy small plantation... I tend to them, I guide them to grow strong and I teach them.

For these reasons, I like Oak Grove Academy.   Sounds good don't you think?   I want to print an offical page and frame it at the side of my office where I keep all the schooling supplies.   We officially do school in the dining room though.   So the frame will be in between the office and the dining room.

So welcome to Oak Grove Academy.

A small prayer request for my friends.

Dominic's has a lazy eye (left side).  What is a lazy eye? you might asked.  Well it has a tendency to go inward (ie toward the nose).  So we need to see a specialist for this and I won't get an appointment until mid-october.   My family doctor said it could be either glasses or a patch.   We shall see.   In the meantime, I pray that it will correct itself or at least not get worse.

Thanks for praying for him!

We wrote the letter, it got revised bu HSLDA Canada, we printed it, we signed it... it is now in an envelop waiting to be mailed...   Along with an official copy to HSLDA Canada and another one for the school board!

Homeschooling is going well.  Alexandre is zipping through MathUSee these days.  He wants to do two lessons per day.   I need to control it...   But with Phonics and French, we are busy.   I am at peace.  No doubts in my mind.   Still have to officially tell my mom though but these days I don't care about her reaction.  

I realized that Alexandre is happy, he doesn't eat his nails anymore (something he was doing while at school), so it is a good thing.   Dominic is learning some letters and numbers - printing and counting.   It is nice.   It is a bit hard to keep Jérémy busy but at times he goes play with blocks and then come to draw.   Dominic's attention is not as big as Alexandre's but when he is tired, he takes off and go play with his little brother.   Life is good so far...

Due to financial tighteness (we are waiting for contracts for the business which seems to take forever to come in...), I had to call this morning to cancelled Alexandre's registration to a VBS at a local church next week. It took a lot of effort from me to do that. We were willing to bring Dominic to it since he didn't participate to anything this summer and his was only half-day but a full day with that was too much.

We had talked to Alexandre the night before and at first he was upset about it but then he was okay with the idea of being with my alone to homeschool. So I called this morning as soon as I came back from the chiropractor.

I got the children's pastor on the phone. I explained our situation and asked her if we could put the deposit of Alexandre on Dominic's registration and then pay only the 10$ left. Dominic being the only one to attend camp this year. She was so sorry about it and said they could do that no problem. Then somehow she proposed that they subsidize Alexandre's registration so that he could come too!... She took me off guard. I wasn't expecting this whatsoever... Tears started to come down and a lump formed in my throat. As hard it was to call and cancel Alexandre's registration, I found myself to be humble enough to tell her that it very generous and that we usually don't take advantage of these things since we can pay... She said she understood and that everyone goes through stages in life and this is only a bad stage for us right now, that they would be really happy to do this and that they would like to have him at camp next week.

Even as I write this, I have tears in my eyes. I never imagine how poor people could feel sometimes when accepting charity or opportunities like this. I don't want to forget this. After talking to my husband, he was blow away and said that someday we will return the favor to someone else. Yes indeed, it is a blessing for us, a marvelous surprise and we will make sure never to forget about it.

Husband went to a client today to try to complete the only contract we have. He also talked to another client who said that more than likely there will be something in place by the end of the week for one of our employees. Now if only the two other potential contracts could come in.... that would be better as we are in great need these days. If nothing comes... well I better not think about it. Stress is not too good for me these days!

So I pray that contracts do start pouring our way soon... In the meantime, I am thankful of God's provision for the VBS and for what we have right now.

Due to financial tighteness (we are waiting for contracts for the business which seems to take forever to come in...), I had to call this morning to cancelled Alexandre's registration to a VBS at a local church next week.   It took a lot of effort from me to do that.   We were willing to bring Dominic to it since he didn't participate to anything this summer and his was only half-day but a full day with that was too much.

We had talked to Alexandre the night before and at first he was upset about it but then he was okay with the idea of being with my alone to homeschool.   So I called this morning as soon as I came back from the chiropractor.

I got the children's pastor on the phone.   I explained our situation and asked her if we could put the deposit of Alexandre on Dominic's registration and then pay only the 10$ left.   Dominic being the only one to attend camp this year.   She was so sorry about it and said they could do that no problem.  Then somehow she proposed that they subsidize Alexandre's registration so that he could come too!...   She took me off guard.   I wasn't expecting this whatsoever...   Tears started to come down and a lump formed in my throat.    As hard it was to call and cancel Alexandre's registration, I found myself to be humble enough to tell her that it very generous and that we usually don't take advantage of these things since we can pay...  She said she understood and that everyone goes through stages in life and this is only a bad stage for us right now, that they would be really happy to do this and that they would like to have him at camp next week.   

Even as I write this, I have tears in my eyes.   I never imagine how poor people could feel sometimes when accepting charity or opportunities like this.   I don't want to forget this.   After talking to my husband, he was blow away and said that someday we will return the favor to someone else.   Yes indeed, it is a blessing for us, a marvelous surprise and we will make sure never to forget about it.

Husband went to a client today to try to complete the only contract we have.   He also talked to another client who said that more than likely there will be something in place by the end of the week for one of our employees.   Now if only the two other potential contracts could come in....  that would be better as we are in great need these days.  If nothing comes...  well I better not think about it.   Stress is not too good for me these days!

So I pray that contracts do start pouring our way soon...  In the meantime, I am thankful of God's provision for the VBS and for what we have right now.

Swimming lessons are officially booked this morning. Horray! The three boys will have their courses at the same time on the same day. OUF! No running around. I like that. However, I had to select my second choice of swimming pool since my first choice was not starting until mid-october and going for 9 weeks, which meants being VERY pregnant by the time the boys would be done their courses... I didn't like the idea. I don't want the stress in December. So I picked the 2nd best place in my area... Their family change room is bigger somehow with HUGE lockers available for BIG families like ours...

So mid-september, my kids will have swimming courses on Thursday nights. Two by themselves in the water, the other one with dad. Me... I will keep an eye on child #2 since he has a tendency of not listening.

Swimming is important for us. It is a skill that is important to have.

Swimming lessons are officially booked this morning.  Horray!  The three boys will have their courses at the same time on the same day.   OUF!   No running around.  I like that.   However, I had to select my second choice of swimming pool since my first choice was not starting until mid-october and going for 9 weeks, which meants being VERY pregnant by the time the boys would be done their courses...  I didn't like the idea.   I don't want the stress in December.   So I picked the 2nd best place in my area...   Their family change room is bigger somehow with HUGE lockers available for BIG families like ours...

So mid-september, my kids will have swimming courses on Thursday nights.   Two by themselves in the water, the other one with dad.   Me...  I will keep an eye on child #2 since he has a tendency of not listening.

Swimming is important for us.   It is a skill that is important to have.

This is how I feel these days... as the school year approaching, I have more and more doubts. I am indeed attacked by the enemy putting doubts in my head and making me feel as thought I am worthless. I HATE IT! But being over-sensitive since the pregnancy it probably not helping.

So to overcome this feeling this morning, I homeschooled... We did the devotional (and catching up on the days missed last week because of the Leadership Summit), we did MathUSee, we did Croque-Math (a french book on Maths), we did Je Lis... J'écris... (the French curriculum I bought for reading)... Later today, I want to do Art with the Draw the Marvel Comics Super Heroes book we are testing for Toy Testing. Oh and they went outside a bit... Now they are all playing in the bedroom upstairs while I am boiling water for lunch - Pasta salad on the menu...

I am also fed-up with other things that I would prefer not to mention on my blog for various reasons... I don't want to vent here. I vent with my husband. I cry sometimes. But I don't consider my blog a place to do this. I am mentioning this so that if my friends want to pray, they will know I need prayer...

Now it is said... I don't have nothing else to say for now. Thanks for listening - I mean reading!

Finally, we made it to this stage of life. Last year, Alexandre broke his arm in May and we had been told to be careful with it for the summer because if he fell on it he could brake it again! So we listened to the doctors and did not remove the training wheels on his bike. We didn't want to go through surgery another time. How heartbreaking for a mom to be told to stay behind and her child looks at her with HUGE eyes not knowing what will happen in the OR. I think I will always remember this picture in my head. Why they don't let the parents dress-up and once the child is asleep asked the parent to leave??? Oh well. We made it through that day more than a year ago...

Anyhow, the training wheels were still on when spring and summer arrived. So we looked at how he was doing. Pretty good. So we removed the training wheels and husband went with him one evening. Alexandre was a bit stiff and thinking he still had the training wheels. Last week, we went to the Leadership Summit in town and my in-laws came for 1 day and a half to babysit. Father-in-law is a miracle for biking... Within a day, Alexandre got it... He is a pro now, going as fast as a speeding bullet. Beware Superman! It brought me tears in my eyes to see him enjoying it. Yes we did indeed reached a new stage of life.

This is how I feel these days... as the school year approaching, I have more and more doubts.   I am indeed attacked by the enemy   putting doubts in my head and making me feel as thought I am worthless.   I HATE IT!    But being over-sensitive since the pregnancy it probably not helping.

So to overcome this feeling this morning, I homeschooled...  We did the devotional (and catching up on the days missed last week because of the Leadership Summit), we did MathUSee, we did Croque-Math (a french book on Maths), we did Je Lis... J'écris... (the French curriculum I bought for reading)...  Later today, I want to do Art with the Draw the Marvel Comics Super Heroes book we are testing for Toy Testing.   Oh and they went outside a bit...  Now they are all playing in the bedroom upstairs while I am boiling water for lunch - Pasta salad on the menu...

I am also fed-up with other things that I would prefer not to mention on my blog for various reasons...  I don't want to vent here.  I vent with my husband.  I cry  sometimes.   But I don't consider my blog a place to do this.   I am mentioning this so that if my friends want to pray, they will know I need prayer... 

Now it is said...  I don't have nothing else to say for now.   Thanks for listening - I mean reading! 

Finally, we made it to this stage of life.   Last year, Alexandre broke his arm in May and we had been told to be careful with it for the summer because if he fell on it he could brake it again!   So we listened to the doctors and did not remove the training wheels on his bike.   We didn't want to go through surgery another time.   How heartbreaking for a mom to be told to stay behind and her child looks at her with HUGE eyes not knowing what will happen in the OR.   I think I will always remember this picture in my head.   Why they don't let the parents dress-up and once the child is asleep asked the parent to leave???   Oh well.  We made it through that day more than a year ago...

Anyhow, the training wheels were still on when spring and summer arrived.   So we looked at how he was doing.   Pretty good.  So we removed the training wheels and husband went with him one evening.   Alexandre was a bit stiff and thinking he still had the training wheels.   Last week, we went to the Leadership Summit in town and my in-laws came for 1 day and a half to babysit.   Father-in-law is a miracle for biking...  Within a day, Alexandre got it...   He is a pro now, going as fast as a speeding bullet.   Beware Superman!   It brought me tears in my eyes to see him enjoying it.   Yes we did indeed reached a new stage of life. 

100 entries already.... hard to believe but true. I kept wondering what to write for this "event" but unfortunately I didn't came up with anything very exciting... So I will tell you a bit about the week to come.

Yesterday, we did some shopping... so much for planning to homeschool. But to be honest, we need roller blinds in the kids room - some darkening ones. So we went around to shop... First store we went to had the best prices but the colors we wanted were not available. When asked when we could have them, we were told it could take many weeks. So that's why we went around shopping for prices. Went to Sears where the prices were outrageous!!! BUT I did found a great deal on a new pillow - feathers please and Obus Form... 50% off! HORRAY! After supper time, we ended up going to the grocery store but couldn't find the chicken legs special or not enough bagels (in special too) which meant we need to go back the next day... After a little fit from Dominic about the car cart... we drove back home, put him in his bedroom, put Jérémy down and my dear husband went outside with Alexandre for a biking lesson... We are way overdue with the two wheels thing but last year we had to postpone it because of a cast... then on the possibility of another break if he fell on it. So this year, we removed the training wheels... Balance is hard but we had to adjust the bike since the seat was too low... I pray he will catch the trick fast.

Today... homeschooling. On the menu, Math U See, the French reading curriculum, reading Emma's egg, talking about domes and the usefulness of the yolk and the white in the egg and finally finish with some English phonics. Alexandre got a bit frustrated at one point because he couldn't recognize and and are. So I took a notebook and made him write and say the words. Well, the last page he did, he had to read a little text. He did it 95% of the time... there was a couple of words he didn't know. So he was real proud of him!

Tomorrow, planning to homeschool again because the rest of the week is busy for my husband and me. We are going to the Leadership Summit - in our city while the real thing is happening in Chicago at Willow Creek. Thanks goodness for video conference...

We are excited about this. We went last year and it was very good. It will be demanding but interesting...

Now my only issue is to tell my mom about my decision of homeschooling. I fear her reaction to be honest... I need to find the words... Being in my head since about a week or so. Really need to do this sooner than later. I have prepared the letter for the school and school board which HSLDA is revising as we speak. I will send the letter in a week or so.

To be honest, I am not confident in myself these days... Why is it always like this??? For a while I was fine but because I missed a few days of schooling - I feel as though I won't be able to do it. My real objectives this year is for Alexandre to read and adding as well as substracting. Writing will come with it also... I need to go downtown to get a copy of the curriculum of Ontario so that I know exactly when a grade 1 is suppose to be able to do in the various subjects planned for his grade. Arg! I am not looking forward to park in this area.

100 entries already....  hard to believe but true.   I kept wondering what to write for this "event" but unfortunately I didn't came up with anything very exciting...   So I will tell you a bit about the week to come.

Yesterday, we did some shopping... so much for planning to homeschool.  But to be honest, we need roller blinds in the kids room - some darkening ones.   So we went around to shop...  First store we went to had the best prices but the colors we wanted were not available.  When asked when we could have them, we were told it could take many weeks.  So that's why we went around shopping for prices.  Went to Sears where the prices were outrageous!!! BUT I did found a great deal on a new pillow - feathers please and Obus Form...  50% off!  HORRAY!   After supper time, we ended up going to the grocery store but couldn't find the chicken legs special or not enough bagels (in special too) which meant we need to go back the next day...  After a little fit from Dominic about the car cart... we drove back home, put him in his bedroom, put Jérémy down and my dear husband went outside with Alexandre for a biking lesson...   We are way overdue with the two wheels thing but last year we had to postpone it because of a cast... then on the possibility of another break if he fell on it.   So this year, we removed the training wheels...   Balance is hard but we had to adjust the bike since the seat was too low...  I pray he will catch the trick fast.

Today... homeschooling.  On the menu, Math U See, the French reading curriculum, reading Emma's egg, talking about domes and the usefulness of the yolk and the white in the egg and finally finish with some English phonics.   Alexandre got a bit frustrated at one point because he couldn't recognize and and are.   So I took a notebook and made him write and say the words.   Well, the last page he did, he had to read a little text.   He did it 95% of the time... there was a couple of words he didn't know.  So he was real proud of him!

Tomorrow, planning to homeschool again because the rest of the week is busy for my husband and me.  We are going to the Leadership Summit - in our city while the real thing is happening in Chicago at Willow Creek.  Thanks goodness for video conference...  

We are excited about this.   We went last year and it was very good.  It will be demanding but interesting...

Now my only issue is to tell my mom about my decision of homeschooling.  I fear her reaction to be honest...   I need to find the words...   Being in my head since about a week or so.   Really need to do this sooner than later.   I have prepared the letter for the school and school board which HSLDA is revising as we speak.   I will send the letter in a week  or so.

To be honest, I am not confident in myself these days...   Why is it always like this???   For a while I was fine but because I missed a few days of schooling - I feel as though I won't be able to do it.   My real objectives this year is for Alexandre to read and adding as well as substracting.   Writing will come with it also...   I need to go downtown to get a copy of the curriculum of Ontario so that I know exactly when a grade 1 is suppose to be able to do in the various subjects planned for his grade.   Arg!   I am not looking forward to park in this area.  

As much as I want to go ahead with homeschooling there is always little disruptions that slow down the process...

This week, Monday wasn't too bad... but then on Tuesday husband and I decided to go out in the morning (thanks to my mother-in-law who came to look after our three boys) and we went to the war museum. Some of you must think that it is a bit crazy but it was instructive and we are respectful for those who sacrificed their life so that we can have freedom in our country.

Then I got a call from a friend at church inviting me over the next day for a swim... How can you resist this with the weather we are having??? So off we went on a farm where the boys were able to hold baby rabbits and swim a lot in the pool. We had fun. Lots of it. As I was driving back, my three boys fell asleep. I was glad that my husband was working home so he could help me put them to bed.

At 3pm, the older two got up so I asked them to go play with the new toy we are testing called Word Launch from Leapfrog. It is a game where they learn about phonics and new words. Very instructive. So homeschooling yesterday was - baby rabbits, swimming, devotion, and English phonics.

Today, I would like to do more but somehow my head is spinning (literally) and I didn't have any alcool... No really, it has been ages since this happened to me and I know it might be my high blood pressure. However, I have no clue why it would be high... So I will wait a bit and see if it will get back to normal - ie head not spinning. Believe me it is not fun. I have to be extra careful since I am 17 weeks pregnant. As if I need this... I should go do my own devotion now...

UPDATED --> Called my OB around 930 or so. Looks like I have low blood pressure... Need to lay down today. Thank goodness that hubby is working home this morning. He has an appointment with a client this afternoon but then the kids go for a nap. Right now, it doesn't feel as bad as this morning. Still a bit dizzy but not much. OB will call later tonight to see how I do. If it gets worst, I've been told to go to the emergency...

As much as I want to go ahead with homeschooling there is always little disruptions that slow down the process...

This week, Monday wasn't too bad... but then on Tuesday husband and I decided to go out in the morning (thanks to my mother-in-law who came to look after our three boys) and we went to the war museum.   Some of you must think that it is a bit crazy but it was instructive and we are respectful for those who sacrificed their life so that we can have freedom in our country.  

Then I got a call from a friend at church inviting me over the next day for a swim...  How can you resist this with the weather we are having???  So off we went on a farm where the boys were able to hold baby rabbits and swim a lot in the pool.   We had fun.  Lots of it.   As I was driving back, my three boys fell asleep.   I was glad that my husband was working home so he could help me put them to bed.

At 3pm, the older two got up so I asked them to go play with the new toy we are testing called Word Launch from Leapfrog.  It is a game where they learn about phonics and new words.   Very instructive.   So homeschooling yesterday was - baby rabbits, swimming, devotion, and English phonics.  

Today, I would like to do more but somehow my head is spinning (literally) and I didn't have any alcool...  No really, it has been ages since this happened to me and I know it might be my high blood pressure.  However, I have no clue why it would be high...  So I will wait a bit and see if it will get back to normal - ie head not spinning.    Believe me it is not fun.   I have to be extra careful since I am 17 weeks pregnant.   As if I need this...  I should go do my own devotion now...

UPDATED -->   Called my OB around 930 or so.   Looks like I have low blood pressure...  Need to lay down today.   Thank goodness that hubby is working home this morning.  He has an appointment with a client this afternoon but then the kids go for a nap.   Right now, it doesn't feel as bad as this morning.  Still a bit dizzy but not much.  OB will call later tonight to see how I do.   If it gets worst, I've been told to go to the emergency...