Home School in Pictures

There are many advantages to home schooling, such as...

Career Day is an ongoing process.

My kids are friends with children of all different ages.



You can take a break and go to a commercial audition in the middle of the day. (Or take a nap)

Art class consists of the materials of your choice, and can last for hours.
Science occurs in your own backyard.

You can head outside for artistic inspiration.


PE is at the gym.. or the upstairs hallway.


Crisp fall afternoons are able to be enjoyed outside.

Field Trips and Parties include the moms... so it's a social event for kids and adults! :)
Home Economics takes place... get this... at home.


Pets are allowed and encouraged.


No dress code... unless you call wearing PJs a dress code.


The down side? Being at home more means you USE the home more... so it can be a bit of a wreck. But it's worth every minute of it!!! :)

Jesse Tree Ornament Exchange

Our Home School Group hosted a Jesse Tree Ornament Exchange. 25 Families each created 25 of the same ornament and we got together for a large Thanksgiving Party and swapped the ornaments. What creativity! The ornaments follow the season of advent, putting 1 ornament on each tree in December leading up to Christmas.

Here is a photobook I created through Shutterfly to read through:

Click here to view this photo book larger

Here are the ornaments.

Day 1 In the Beginning


Day 2 The Fall


Day 3 Noah and the Ark


Day 4 The Blessing to Abraham


Day 5 Sacrifice of the Son

Day 6 Assurance of the Promise

Day 7 Joseph in Egypt

Day 8 The Ten Commandments

Day 9 The Promised Land: Canaan

Day 10 Ruth and Boaz

Day 11 David and Goliath

Day 12 God's Forgotten Scroll is Found

Day 13 Prophecy: A Shoot from the Stump of Jesse

Day 14 Prophecy: The New Creation

Day 15 Prophecy: Prince of Peace

Day 16 Prophecy: Good Shepherd

Day 17 Suffering Servant

Day 18 The New Covenant

Day 19 Bethlehem Prophecy

Day 20 Exile and Persecution: The Fiery Furnace

Day 21 Return to Jerusalem

Day 22 Christmas Star

Day 23 Light of the World

Day 24 Angels Proclaim the Miraculous Birth

Day 25 The Birth of Jesus

Day	Scripture to Read
	Introduction of the Jesse Tree 1 Samuel 16:1-13 Isaiah 11:1-10
1	In the Beginning Genesis 1:1-3, 27, 31 John 1:1-5, 14
2	The Fall Genesis 3:3-6, 9-11 1 Corinthians 15:21-22| Romans 5:12, 14-15
3	Noah and the Ark Genesis 6:5-8; 7:15-18; 9:8, 15-16 Matthew 24:36-39, 42 1 Peter 3:20b-21a
4	The Blessing to Abraham Genesis 12:1-3; 17:5 Hebrews 11:8, 12 Matthew 1:1
5	Sacrifice of the Son Genesis 22:1-2, 9-13 Colossians 1:15 John 3:16-17
6	Assurance of the Promise Genesis 27:41-28:22 John 1:43-51
7	Joseph in Egypt Genesis 37:3-5, 8a, 18-19, 23, 28 Genesis 41:41; 42:6; 45:4-5 Matthew 2:13-15
8	The Ten Commandments Exodus 20:1-4a, 7a, 8, 12-17 Matthew 5:3-10
9	The Promised Land: Canaan Genesis 17:7-8 Numbers 13:1-2a, 17-18a, 20, 23,27 Revelation 21:1-3
10	Ruth and Boaz Ruth 1:16; 2:2, 8, 10-12; 4:13-14 Matthew 1:5b-6a
11	David and Goliath 1 Samuel 16:1, 13a; 17:3-4, 8-9, 45, 47-49 Revelation 22:16
12	God’s Forgotten Scroll is Found 2 Kings 22:2, 23:1-3 Psalm 119:33-35 2 Timothy 3:16-17 Revelation 5:9
13	Prophecy: A Shoot From the Stump of Jesse Isaiah 11:1-5, 10 Acts 13:16, 22-23
14	Prophecy: The New Creation Isaiah 11:6-10 Revelation 21:4-5a
15	Prophecy: Prince of Peace Isaiah 9:2, 6-7 John 14:27 John 18:33, 36a, 37b
16	Prophecy: Good Shepherd Ezekiel 34:2b, 4-5, 10-12, 15a, 16a, 23-24 Psalm 23:1 Luke 7:21b John 10:11, 16, 27
17	Prophecy: Suffering Servant Isaiah 53:4-7, 9, 12b John 19:1, 15-18
18	The New Covenant Jeremiah 31:31-33 Hebrews 9:13-15
19	Bethlehem Prophecy Micah 5:2 Luke 2:4-7
20	Exile and Persecution: The Fiery Furnace 2 Kings 17:23 Daniel 3:19, 21, 28 Matthew 5:11-12
21	Return to Jerusalem Nehemiah 1:3; 2:18; 6:15-16 Revelation 21:10-14
22	Christmas Star Numbers 24:17-19a Matthew 2:1-6, 9-11
23	Light of the World Psalm 27:1-3 John 1:9, 8:12
24	Angels Proclaim the Miraculous Birth Genesis 18:1-4, 8b-10a Luke 2:8-14
25	The Birth of Jesus Isaiah 7:10-14 Luke 2:1, 4-12

Nathan's Whippin of Mass Instructions

Can you find all the word misunderstandings in this dialog that occurred today? :)

Nathan: Daddy, do you like this gun I made out of Tinker Toys?

Dad: Yes, Nate! You should go into the army and build weapons!

Later…

Nathan: Mom, I built a whippin. A Big, Giant Whippin. Watch it whip. (A lot of long flexible pieces put together in the shape of a whip…)

Mom: Wow, Nathan, that’s long.

Nathan: Do you think I was busy making this Whippin?

Mom: Why yes, you were.

Nathan: Daddy told me to make a Whippin.

Daddy: A Weapon of Mass Destruction.

Nathan: No, I made this with no instructions… There are no instructions with Tinker Toys.

Thanks, CVS!

CVS paid me 60 cents to take this stuff home.

Thanks, CVS! Glad I could help you lower your inventory! :)




PS - this is Halloween Candy. I do not normally collect candy like this. :)

I Will Rise

Enough Said.

Everyone Should Home School

Everyone should home school. Pretty bold and opinionated, I know. I firmly believe that good, diligent parents who teach their children at home will have better educated and more well-rounded children.

This idea grew when school started this fall and I began asking the question to friends and neighbors, “What do you do after school?” I’ve heard from many about the hours of home work taking place. Twenty-six spelling words practiced three times each evening. History readings and questions to answer. Math worksheets that dad is required to help with. Reading assignments in various books. Then add violin practice, after school snacks, football practice, dinner, fifteen minutes outside, baths, and science projects that the parents do most of the work on, and the four precious hours after school are gone. And this is just with elementary aged students!

After talking in the yard with neighbors a few nights ago about the heavy home work load, I candidly announced that they were home schooling and not evening knowing it!

My school day consists of a Bible story, spelling words, read alouds, a math assignment, grammar work book pages, hand writing pages, an occasional art project, a history text, and either a science text or experiment. We are finished well before lunch. An hour of rest time each afternoon allows for independent reading. During the week the kids are in a study group while I attend a woman’s Bible Study, they take gymnastics during the day, and we have weekly field trips.

My morning doesn’t look very different from public school evenings.

So when I hear people say, “I could never Home School,” I have to think that yes, they could. That doesn’t mean they should or would ever want to, but in reality, if they’re helping in the evening, they probably already are.

Cucumber Tomato Salad

I love our garden! I was looking for a recipe to use my cucumbers and tomatoes, and I ran across a great recipe that I tweaked a bit. Here's the final, yummy result! (I double it)

Cucumber Tomato Salad

INGREDIENTS
• 4 or more medium fresh tomatoes, cut into 1 inch chunks
• 1 large cucumber, sliced
• 1/2 red onion, diced
• 1/4 cup mayonnaise
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoons fresh ground black pepper
• salt to taste
• ½ tsp Dill
• 1 TBS Apple Cider Vinegar

DIRECTIONS
1. In a large bowl, toss together all of the ingredients. Chill.

Living in light of forever...

My thoughts tonight...

God made our universe in 6 days. He’s been preparing Heaven for 2000 years. Can anyone even begin to imagine what that will be like?

A father builds a paper airplane with his son. His son laughs and watches it soar. Then his dad takes him on a rocket ship to the moon. Any comparison?

And that isn’t even close!

In light of this, how am I to live?

- Does it matter if my laundry doesn’t all get finished on “laundry day?”
- Is it THAT big of deal when my daughter can’t find her shoes… again?
- Should I get so upset when I’m running 10 minutes late looking for ballet slippers?
- Is it really that important whether clothes make it in the laundry basket each and every time?
- Should I gripe and complain when life doesn’t go the way I’ve imagined?
- Do they really need to finish their potatoes?
- Is it that big of a deal that she doesn’t like me?
- Can I say no to things and not feel like I’m letting go of major areas of my short life?
- Am I willing to go where God wants me and not hold so tightly to my plans?
- Do I trust Him to provide for my Eternity but not the daily necessities of life?

On and on I could go. For further meditation…

Psalm 43:5 “Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.”

Psalm 71:5 “For you have been my hope, O Sovereign LORD, my confidence since my youth.”

Revelation 21
1Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. 2 I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 4 He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."

5 He who was seated on the throne said, "I am making everything new!" Then he said, "Write this own, for these words are trustworthy and true."

6 He said to me: "It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To him who is thirsty I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life. 7 He who overcomes will inherit all this, and I will be his God and he will be my son…

22 I did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. 23 The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp. 24 The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it. 25 On no day will its gates ever be shut, for there will be no night there. 26 The glory and honor of the nations will be brought into it. 27 Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life.

Rev 22:1-5 Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever.

Matthew 6:20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.

John 14:2-3 In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.

1 Thessalonians 4:17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.

Self Control

This week I’m teaching my kids about Self Control, using I Peter 5:8. “Be self controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”

Whenever I’m teaching them a new character trait, the Lord sees fit to test me as well. How did He do it this morning?

As I was leaving for Bible Study, I strapped Kevin into his infant seat, only to notice that it smelled… the cat had peed in it beyond repair. What to do?? I used an old towel inside w/ holes cut out to fix the situation short-term. “Be Self Controlled, Becky,” I reminded myself. Thankfully, this verse kept the cat alive to tell about it.

My tests today also came in the form of Nathan stepping into a stinky old pond, covering himself in mud from his knees down. From me stepping in gum on the way to the grocery store. (Flip flops are hard to maneuver in when they’re constantly being stuck to the ground.) A dishwasher that for some reason overflowed and poured water on half of my kitchen floor, requiring 4 beach towels to clean it up. Baby spit up all over me while he’s in the sling as I’m getting the kids ready for bed.

I’m just thinking I’d better head to bed before I get tested anymore!

I Will Trust You

Our church has their Spring Musical "Glorious" this weekend, and we went Friday night. Having little Kevin has left me a bit sleep deprived & spiritually dry, which is to be expected - it's a season I've experienced for a couple of months after each baby - and I was enjoying passively the musical until about half way through when they sang “I Will Trust You.” My brain locked in and God used it to refresh my heart. I wanted to share the words with you.

I Will Trust You
Words & Music by Sue C. Smith, David Moffitt, & Travis Cottrell

You can still the pounding of the ocean.
You can move Your hand and stop the rain.
You can speak and calm this storm around me.
But even if it rages on and on… I will trust You.

You can help me stand on ground that’s shaking,
Make the earth a rock beneath my feet.
You can light the road that I am trav’ling…
But even if the darkness covers me… I will trust You.

You have been faithful. You have been good.
You have been perfect to a thousand generations.
So I will not waver, and I will not be moved.
I will trust You.

If I call Your name and You are silent,
If it feels like mercy may not come,
If I cannot see how you will rescue,
I will still believe I’m not alone.
I will trust You.

When the mountains fall,
When the waves come crashing in,
I will trust You.

You are the faithful God,
I will put my trust in You,
I will trust You.

You alone are God,
There is nothing You can’t do,
I will trust You.

I will not be moved,
I will not be shaken,
I will trust You.

Until the last breath I am given,
Or the sky rolls back for Your return.
Until the day when every question’s answered,
Knowing You are with me is enough.

I will trust You.

For information about seeing the musical this weekend, visit Spring Musical "Glorious"

My Heritage

While making dinner tonight, I was listening to Swing Music and thinking about how much I liked the new Star Trek Movie. Then I thought, “This is sort of a strange combination.” I started pondering how the different people in my life have shaped me into the person I am.

I can thank my Grandpa Hogan for my love of swing music, men’s barber shop quartets, old black and white movies, and black tea with milk and sugar. I sure miss him. Heaven will be a sweet place. My Grandma Hogan taught me how to color and has passed on a passion for all things crafty and artistic. I can thank my dad for my love of Star Trek, other science fiction, Mexican food, eating out, and 50’s Rock and Roll Music. I owe my mom for instilling in me the habit of having a personal time with God daily and also for my killer Scrabble game. My Grandma Stelzer has shown me by personal example how to raise a large family by being frugal, showing love, and minding her own business unless asked for advice.

I wish I learned how to be patient like my Dad and Grandpa Hogan. I wish I knew how to keep a clean and orderly house like my mom. I wish I knew how to paint like my Grandma Hogan. I wish I knew how to love animals, for the sake of my daughter Abby, like my Grandma Stelzer does.

But it didn’t all stick.

I wonder what parts of me will stick on my kids.

Kevin is 1 Month Old!

Happy Birthday, Kevin!

He is such a delight! He's very laid back, but by his entrance into the world, I suppose that was to be expected. :) He has a fussy time in the evening, but over all is happy and content.

He's smiling a lot at people! He also has a strong neck and likes to try and hold his head up as much as possible. He likes his bouncy seat, but the verdict is still out on the swing...

Katie said recently, "Mom, he looks like a real boy now that his eyes are open." I didn't want to ask what he looked like with his eyes closed... ;) He is awake more of the day now, in the morning and evening. Overall, it's been a great transition!

What a miracle! I still can't believe that he grew inside of me.

Jer 1:5 - "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you..."

What makes Good Friday good?

This is a re-post from my blog entry two years ago...

What makes Good Friday good? Death, blood, thieves, darkness...

And why did Jesus have to die anyway? Why couldn't God have said, "To cleanse yourself from your sin, you must wash in the river."

Imagine that my daughter Abby stole $10 from a store, and the punishment I set in place for the crime was for her to pay back the $10 plus do 10 hours of work at the store the following weekend.

If she tried to get a bunny to work in her place, I'd insist it be a human - not a bunny. A bunny could look like it were working, but it wouldn't really be taking her place.

If her friend offered to pay the money and work in her place, that would be a justifiable trade. The debt would be paid and the work would be accomplished. However, if her friend was also guilty and had stolen as well, then he would not be a good replacement because he has to work the 10 hours himself.

Our punishment for sin is death - which is in reality separation from God. When we do works of service or personal sacrifices to cover our sin, it's like having a bunny take the punishment for Abby. Someone else qualified must step in and take our punishment for us.

No other human being is qualified because they are in the same boat as us. They also are convicted and the verdict is "guilty."

That is why God himself provided our needed replacement. Jesus lived a perfect life and was not guilty or deserving of death and separation. 2000 years ago on Good Friday, God put our sins on Jesus in some amazing way I can't comprehend, making him take the guilt for all. Only God could do this.

In the most simplistic way I can think of, that is what makes Good Friday Good.

Kevin is here!

I update facebook far more than my blog, so finally, here's a picture of our newest Emerick.

Kevin Thomas was born March 11th at 12:27 PM.

Ear Thermometers - Good To Know!

Summary: Ear Thermometers don't register correctly over 102/103 degrees.

Katie's been sick, and at bedtime her temp went up to 104. We gave her a bath, continued the Tylenol, and she went to bed. at Midnight, it was still high, but then at 4 AM it registered at 105.7! I immediately took my own temperature to check the thermometer, and it was correct: 97.7. Another bath for Katie, plus more medicine, but it wasn't going down.

We called 338-kids and talked to a nurse. After a long conversation, he recommended the ER. She also had stomach pain and a cough. Thinking it might be RSV or Pneumonia, Lee took her into the ER. (Take no chances with high fevers and teeny babies in the house!)

At the ER, her temp was 102.8. A quick change in only 15 minutes. As it turns out, the doctor explained that ear thermometers don't register accurately above 102 or 103 degrees, and they get a lot of scared parents, thinking their child might have brain damage or serious issues. And that is also why we can take our own temp and think it's working.

After a chest X-ray and throat swab, she was thankfully sent home with just a virus...

Which I would have KNOWN had I used a standard thermometer. I never would have taken her in with just a 102 fever. She gets that a few times a year. But 105? That's just scary.

So, from now on, if it registers over 102, I'll pull out the good old under the tongue thermometer that takes an entire 60 seconds to read.

I thought this was very valuable information and wanted to pass it on! Before freaking out about an insanely high temp, try taking it the good old fashioned way first.

Today is the Day

My prayer for Today:

Waiting for Labor

I didn't write this, but wish I had... enjoy :)

Waiting

Dear Baby, here beneath my heart,
I thought that you might come today;
The timing seemed just right.

But the stars are out
And the moon is high
And sheepishly I wonder why
I try to arrange the plans
Of God.

For now I know
You will not come
Until the One who holds eternity
Rustles your soft cocoon
And whispers in tones that I will not hear,
"It's time, precious gift."

"Now it's time."

-by Robin Jones Gunn

Boredom Buster!

It was a boring Saturday night. We've been home a lot lately, and we'd already played, painted, and goofed around all day. We watched a movie at rest time and were at a loss as to what to do after dinner.

Lee and I stared blankly at each other, knowing that if we didn't think of something, the kids might destroy the house... or each other.

So I came up with an idea to fill a good hour. We played a "10 Minute Game." Here are the rules:

1. Put the names of all family members in a hat.
2. When someone has their name drawn, they get to choose what the family does for 10 minutes.
3. Set a timer, and go at it! Everyone must participate in some way. They then draw who goes next.

So an hour later, we had gone through everyone, and we had a lot of fun! What did we choose to do?

Abby: Color
Katie: Pretend to be dogs (which included puppy wrestling piles)
Nathan: Wrestle
Daddy: Marco Polo
Mommy: Eat Ice Cream :)

So, we'll probably pull that idea out again... hope it helps the next time you're at home and wondering how to fill the time, without just throwing in a movie.

41 Weeks

What else do you do when 41 weeks pregnant to pass the time? You play in Photoshop! At least I do...



This is for you, Jenna! You can see more on FB.

A Time To Be Born...

I am 41 weeks pregnant today, and so I’m caught in yet another round of waiting. I started blogging about waiting a couple of years ago, and since then, I’ve realized that it’s just a normal part of life. The good news is that I’m getting better at it! It’s not always easy, especially if I have to find something that fits to wear to church one more time… and I can’t help but feel a little like a watched pot by all the people I know and love… but God is faithful and I’ve been really encouraged by praise songs such as “In the Waiting” and “Everlasting God.”

“There is a time for everything… a time to be born.” Ecclesiastes 3:2.

So while I wait, I play with my kids, get together with friends, organize my home, go on extra dates with Lee, get small projects done I wouldn’t make time for ordinarily, and enjoy the feeling of a baby growing inside of me. It really is a miracle, and I’m so thankful to be blessed to be a part of it.

“Rest in the LORD and wait patiently for Him.” Ps 37:7a

Baby Names

We are having a really tough time with a boy's name. I know he'll be here soon, and usually we have a short list we're working off of by now, but we keep shooting down every name we sort of like. We like it for a few days, and then instead of growing on us, it becomes worse and worse in our minds.

Of course I'm hearing a lot of names of girls that I really like, and I could have a really long list of options, but perhaps because it's not a girl I'm more open to the girl names... since I know I won't really need one.

This is the first time we've found out if it's a boy or girl, and it's been the hardest name discussion ever. I wonder if that's connected somehow? Or it could be that it's the 4th child. Or that we're just being really picky.

We went to a baby name genie online (a cute app) and it kept spitting out the "perfect" name. It was funny, because every time we pushed "try again" it would say something funny like, "That was a good one. You are incredibly hard to please!"

We either don't like the way the name sounds w/ our last name, or it isn't strong enough, or you can't make a nick name out of it, or we don't like the potential nick name, or we've known too many people with that name, or it doesn't match the other kids' names... on and on it goes.

I feel bad, because when friends and family suggest possible names, my immediate reaction is almost always to scrunch up my nose and say "Nah...." Everything from classic strong names like Michael and William to more trendy ones like Parker and Harrison... names always on my short list in the past that I really like.

So... we might have a baby named "boy" for awhile. I didn't think of Abby's until the day I went into labor. My devotions that morning were about Abigail in the story of David and I thought, "Abby! That's cute!" So maybe we'll see what my Bible Reading brings me that day.

Time will tell! :)

Sometimes it works, and sometimes it doesn't...

Sometimes I have great ideas w/ my kids that work magically. And other times, not so much...

A success story: My girls argued endlessly about who sat next to me during meal times. I created a plan... a long-term plan. It started with us drawing numbers for our seats at every meal. Yes, it was tedious, but we worked on being content and thankful for where they were. (Didn't always work though...) We then progressed to phase two, where they each got to rotate who sat next to me at each meal. Then, we switched to where they'd switch daily. Now, after months, we're where I was hoping to get - we switch weekly. This week, Abby sits next to me. Next week, it's Katie's turn. There are no complaints, they just understand. It's beautiful.

(In case you're wondering, Nate, being the youngest, always gets this place of honor. Now when the baby comes... we'll have to start over.)

But here's a not so successful story: We had a chipped bowl, and the girls didn't want to eat with it, so I explained that it was special, like Chip in Beauty and the Beast, and should be treated special so it wasn't left out. My point? To get them to use the silly bowl and stop complaining.

How it backfired? They started arguing over who got to use the chipped bowl.

So... back to the "learn to be content in every circumstance" lesson...

A Second Chance

I just love homeschooling my kids. There are so many reasons, I can't even begin to list them in this blog, but I came up with a new one last week - it's a second chance for me!

I had a great time in school, made a lot of friends, was in activities I loved, and overall had a lot of fun. However, beyond the 3 R's, how much did I retain?

Homeschooling is a way for me to relearn what I didn't retain the first time! I get to experience things that I might have missed the first time around.

Here are some silly examples: I was horrible at clay in elementary school. My animal looked like a foot. My pot cracked in the kiln and I wasn't able to decorate it. Everything I tried was a disaster. Last week, the girls and I were making clay polar animals from studying the North and South Poles, and I was having a blast forming little polar bears, seals, and arctic foxes. And guess what - they look really cute! I'm really proud of them! I'm glad I get the chance to re-do clay! :)

We're studying geography this year, using "Galloping the Globe" unit studies, and I never knew that Polar Bears were in the north pole and Penguins were in the south. Did you know that Polar Bears have clear hair that only looks white, like snow? And when they eat seals, they don't eat the meat, just the blubber and skin. The meat gets eaten by other animals such as foxes.

The read-aloud books have been a lot of fun too. We fly through them, and I can't believe how many great books are out there. (There are a lot that I find boring that we don't finish as well, but as the teacher, I can choose to not finish them...)

With phonics, did you know that there's a rule "it's K but not C with an I or an E?" So the words Cat, Con, and Cute start with a C, but Kid and Ken start with K - because of the rule. Maybe I did learn that at some point, but it was really fun to find out that there was some sort of logic to the spelling madness.

There are oodles of things like that every day that I get to re-learn, and it is so much more interesting to me now as an adult, and I imagine will only continue to peak my interest as the subject matter gets more interesting.

So I guess you could say I'm really enjoying being in second grade again!

(I did take a "true age test" on facebook and it said I was nine years old, so I guess it shouldn't come as a big surprise.)

Does anyone want to play double dutch jump rope or make friendship bracelets with me?