Why We Homeschool

I have been meaning to write this post for quite a while now, but somehow I haven't been able to find the time or the right words.  In fact I still don't think I found the words, there may be much rambling in the following!

I want to write about why we homeschool every year for my own benefit,  but this year I have also had many friends asking me why we made this decision.  There are so many reasons we decided to do this and I find new reasons all of the time, so I will just go into a few things that made this feel like the right move for us.

Now I have to put a disclaimer here.  I know that homeschooling is not the right answer for every family or for every child.  As in every post I write the content will be 100% from my opinions and experiences.

Our homeschooling decision actually first took place before we even had children.  For 6 years before Isabelle was born I went to work at the Taekwondo center every day with Soungsik.  I would spend hours every day speaking with moms.  And what do moms love to talk about the most?
Their children of course!  

I spoke with moms that had children in all sorts of schools, private, traditional public, year-round public, charter, homeschool, 2nd language immersion schools, and children from ALPS programs.  While there are many differing benefits to each kind of schools there were also some very common disadvantages as well.

For private school I had a few concerns. The expense is almost frightening, I pay just a little more for our house payment.  We thought possibly for 1 child we could swing it, but what do you do when other children are ready for school?  I also didn't want my children in the competition environment of being surrounded by very wealthy children that get whatever they want.  My cousin got a scholarship to a private school and being from an average family this was a very difficult thing for her. Students might wear the same uniforms, but most were picked up in luxury cars, had designer coats, personal cell phones and computers, and traveled the world on their vacations. Many private schools are owned by churches that have beliefs different than ours.  I knew many LDS parents that sent their children to the local Catholic private school.  Each week they were required to attend Mass.  They could choose not to take the Catholic sacrament, but again many LDS parents told their children to take it because they didn't want them singled out.  Many of the scriptures the children would memorized are modified from what our church has accepted as scripture. At another very large private school here children would have around 2 hours of homework each night! When do they have the time to just be children? Also many private schools don't test significantly higher than public schools, so is what you're getting really worth what you're paying? 

For public schools we also had some concerns. My number one concern here is that children are not actually being taught.  Children in America are testing significantly lower in almost every subject than most other developed countries. I realize this is not always the case.  Some teachers can help children to excel, but it's a pretty big gamble if you will be lucky enough to get one of those teachers.  I also think that it doesn't matter how great a teacher is if he/she has 30 students at completely different levels.  I was also concerned with the increasing levels of political correctness and other beliefs that we don't support being flushed into the public schools.  As with private schools mothers were always telling me their children had a minimum of 1 hour of homework a night and many nights they would have 2 hours.  

After thinking about it for a very long time I came to a conclusion.  I can give my children an education at least as good, if not better, than a private school without the cost.  I can tailor their education to their needs. I can spend time daily discussing our religious beliefs. We spend time discussing American history and what a great country we have been blessed with. We spend more time on things Isabelle struggles with.  For example, we spent months on one page of her reading program because that's how long it took her to fully comprehend it.  There were no teachers, tests, or other students requiring us to brush past it and move on.  Once she "got" it, she breezed through the next 2 years of her reading program and now reads better than many kids twice her age.  Because Soungsik works in the late afternoon and evening our kids would almost never see their Dad if we sent them to traditional school.  Since we homeschool Isabelle gets to spend so much time with her Dad. 

  The hardest thing about homeschooling so far for us has been the negative response by others.  When you tell people you homeschool many look at you like you are both completely insane and a child abuser. Many of my friends are extremely concerned about my daughters socialization.  To that concern I have a few thoughts.  First, socialization is not our number 1 priority. Second, not all socialization is good. Third, there are endless chances for Isabelle to socialize. It is in actuality a non-issue. Lastly, I care more about my childrens well being more than anyone else on Earth.  I am not going to do something to purposefully harm them.

I have had friends tell me it is easier to homeschool than send your kids to school.  I strongly disagree with this belief.   I think that both options are difficult and require a lot of energy from mom.  I have to rethink many times a year if I have made the right decision.  We always pause and re-evaluate.  I think many people that send their kids to school rarely take a step back and think about if they should not send their kids to school - I could be wrong about this. I spend between 2 to 3 hours a day of one on one time with Isabelle.  While the time commitment seems like a big sacrifice I get so many rewards.  I love watching my daughter overcome hurdles.  I love seeing the way she thinks about things.  I love finding out what things excite her.  I love that after she does the hard work at school, she has time to go be a kid. I love that her education is so wide and deep.  I love that we can take a day off whenever we need to.  I love that instead of teaching her that you learn to pass a test or learn until the bell rings, that learning is a lifestyle. It is something we do all of the time. Homeschooling is a definite lifestyle choice. I love that I can help raise Isabelle higher than she believes she can go. I love that I get to relearn things that I had forgotten and learn things I was never taught.  I love that I get to spend so much time with my daughter and I hope that she thinks about these times with fondness as she grows older. I love that Isabelle enjoys school and misses it when we skip a day. I love that William comes and sits by us and pretends he is a big kid too.  I can't wait to sink my teacher teeth into him - not literally of course! 

We are so happy that we made the decision to teach our children at home.  I haven't had 1 day were I have regretted my decision.  As I said before I know homeschooling isn't for every child or mother.  This is simply what is working best for us.  I hope that every mom, not matter what kind of education choices she makes for her children, feels as happy and excited about it as much as I do!

BOOK REVIEW: MATCHED

Title: Matched

Author: Ally Condie

Number of Pages: 366

Number of Stars I'm Giving: 1.5

Give me a B,

Give me an O,

Give me an R,

Give me an ING,

What does that spell???

Matched.

I have to write this review before I go to book club tonight, or else my opinion might become skewed!  

Before I begin bashing this book, I will say 3 good things about it.

#1 - It has a nice cover.

#2 - The language and content are 99% clean.

#3 - The concept of this book was interesting (although not too original).

I don't have a real big issue with this plot not being original.  Many very good books have basically the same story line.  It just seems that some authors can pull off the same story line much better than others...think Jane Austen.  Ally Condie was a former English teacher.  If I were to score her on this book, I would give her a D.  Sure everything was spelled correctly, but shouldn't an English teacher know that a plot needs to have 3 things?  A beginning, a middle, and an end.  She must have gotten really caught up in the beginning because this book NEVER moves past it.  You could have compressed this entire book into about 5 chapters and then added a really good story on the end of it.  There was very little conflict in the book and there was zero conflict resolution.  When the highlight of the book consists of people walking up the same hill over and over again and writing in the dust with sticks, you know it's not the most exciting book on the planet.  The author gave no reasons why the characters love each other.  She just tells you they do and you are supposed to care about them after that.  Cassie, the main character comes across as selfish.  Anyone who has any kind of affair can only be described as selfish.  The thing I hated most about this book was the author kept alluding to Cassie rebelling against the society.  She never did.  Not even once.  She thought about it, but she was never brave enough to do it.  No one rebelled in this book.  

They all just rolled over and did whatever they were told.

  

This book leaves so many questions unanswered.

Who were they at war with?

Who were the leaders of this society?

If they were so technologically and physically advanced, why were they losing the war?

If they were truly losing the war, why didn't the civilians in the society see more signs of war?

Was there a food shortage?

Why did Xander forgive Cassie when he knew she was having an affair?

How did Cassie's dad, mom, official, and Xander know that she loved Ky?

Why was everyone portrayed as being happy in the society?

Why were they cutting down all of the trees?

Why did they take everyone's artifacts away?

Why wear a beautiful dress to meet your match if they can only see you from the waist up?

Why did matched couples have to have an escort on a date, 

but "singles" could whomever they wanted at anytime?  

Did they sterilize everyone they didn't want to reproduce or did they practice abortions routinely?

What would the society do to a baby born to 2 perfectly healthy parents if it had a defect? 

If Cassie was the best sorter, why didn't the society keep her when they sent her family away?

What the heck is a sorter?  And why does the society need sorters when there are computers?

Why can Cassie read, but doesn't know how to write letters?

How dumb is Casie if it took her a long time to learn how to write the letter K?

What did Xander and Ky see in Cassie anyways?

If Xander really loved Cassie then why was it so easy for him to let her go?

How can grown men be expected to pull off names like Xander and Ky?

(Ooops, sorry that's just an opinion of mine.  They are great names for 10 year olds though!)

Since when is 80 considered a hard age to achieve? 

Why, why, why didn't Cassie ever rebel???

I am getting pretty annoyed with these book series being written simply because the author hopes it will become a movie or an easy series to sell to a mindless group of teenagers so that he/she can make millions of dollars.  Where have our societies expectations of quality gone?!?

Like any good totalitarian society all religion was cut from these peoples lives. Freedom was exchanged for the illusion of security.  And the society trained people to do and not to think.  The society demonized and removed any people who disagreed with their view of perfection.

Sadly I see much of this happening in our society today.  I realize this book was science fiction, but I felt it was a coming reality as I was reading it.  So that is my 2 or 3 cents on this book.  If you choose to read it, don't worry it won't waste too much of your time because it is so simply written.  Just don't expect an exciting story about rebelling against an oppressive government.

Isabelle's Jr. Blue Belt Test

Isabelle had her Jr. Blue belt test yesterday.

Each test I get more nervous for her but she does better every time!

Every testing her technique becomes more difficult and starting with this test she had new requirements.

Here's a breakdown of everything she had to pass off:

Kicking combinations  - there are 2,

Form - for this test she had 18 steps in her form,

One step sparring - there are 2,

Sparring - while she is getting better, she has along way to go in terms of power,

Nunchukas - she did great this time,

Mental training - she had 4 questions,

and last but most fun - breaking technique!

 This is Isabelle doing her Sr. Green belt form.

 

She always gets so excited for her trophy!

Jee Hoon was tesing for his Red/Black belt.

Up next for him is black belt!

 If Isabelle keeps trying as hard as she has been

 she will get her black belt when she is 7.

If she sticks with Taekwondo,

(both myself and her dad are somewhat pushy in this matter),

she could be a full fledged master by the time she is 16.

I am so proud of you Isabelle.

Not because you are reaching higher "ranks" but because

you work hard and remain determined you are becoming 

a person with a strong character.

Keep up the good work in ALL that you do!

St. George 2011

This week the kids and I made the trek down to St.George. Mom and Dad were already down there so we went to hang out for a few days.  The main reason for our trip was we wanted to see the Little Mermaid at Tuacahn. I am planning on making this an annual Mommy/Daughter date.  It was so much fun!

The show was great. Our seats were on the front row so the actors were literally 5 feet away from us.  They had the water come down a river in the mountain and flood the stage to make the ocean.  Isabelle was in awe the entire show.  A couple of actors even came off stage during one of the songs and got Isabelle and took her to dance with her.  At that moment she got pretty shy - but she LOVED it!  Sadly I have no pictures at Tuacahn.  We can't wait to go back again next year!

On Tuesday we went to a couple of parks and had a blast.
These chairs are so fun.  

I think I want some on my front porch for when you have
neighbors come over to sit!

 St. George has funner parks than up here, and that's a fact.

 Every time I do trips down here I want to move down.  It may happen one day.  

I love the perfect mix of small town with all the stores I love.

 

 Dad had to get in on the fun too!  

He's carrying on the Grandpa Cain legacy wonderfully!

After the park we went to a water park downtown.  

 This splash park was so well thought out.  It even had lovely shady places for 

parents and grandparents to sit, we really appreciated that.

After the water park we went on this beautiful carousel.

 

We stumbled upon the Frog Prince.

I guess he's looking for a different princess.

 It was worth a try...

Isabelle just kept saying "St. George has the coolest things!  I love it here!"

I do to.  We loved our trip but we loved coming back home to daddy too.

Hopefully next year we can do it all again!

1st Day of "Away" School

Isabelle had her first day of "school" today.

We have home schooled her for two years, but this was the first time I dropped her off almost anywhere.
Needless to say it was a little nerve racking for me!

Here we are dropping off in the morning.  The sun was in her eyes - can you tell?

 Unlike most elementary schools she switches teachers and rooms a few times.

Today she only went to one wrong class, so that's good news!

When I picked her up she couldn't stop talking about how much she loved everything.

She will be attending Harmony every Thursday and then we will continue homeschooling her the rest of the week. 

One of her classes is violin. 
She has been begging almost since she could talk to learn violin.

I hope the desire doesn't wear off for a long time to come.

 

This was Isabelle saying "I LOVE school!"

And I didn't even have to tell her to say it, so you know it's heartfelt.

This violin is so tiny.  It looks like a doll toy.  

Isabelle loves to learn...

regardless of location!

Of course William has his hobbies too.

Mostly it consists of helping out and causing trouble all at the same time.

I didn't realize until I had William the the actual purpose of  handles on the drawers is for climbing.

We should have named him tough monkey.

Today was a very exciting day.

I love "first" days!

BOOK REVIEW: THE HELP

Title: The Help

Author: Kathryn Stockett

Number of Pages: 444

Number of Stars I'm Giving: 5

I thoroughly enjoyed this book.  In fact I loved it!  Some people might classify this as a "girlie" book, but men are missing out if they don't read it.  I loved the plot, the writing, the humor, and especially the characters.

I can't even pick a favorite character.  I liked them all, because the way in which she writes about them, you really understand their personalities and you can envision each person in your head very clearly.  I even liked Hilly, who I also hated.  This book makes you stop and think about the daily conveniences that you have and most importantly it reminds you of the freedoms you enjoy.  It teaches us the value of people and you can see how some of the characters grasp the importance of love for your fellow bothers and sisters here on Earth. Since I can't think of a favorite character I will just list my favorite thing about each of them.

Aibileen - She has such a tender heart.  I also enjoy the way that she looks at the day to day mundane choirs and finds humor and satisfaction in them.  

Minny - I see myself the most in Minny.  She is always putting her foot in her mouth, and she holds more thoughts in her head than she lets out.  My head is full of unspoken jokes or criticisms. But the truth is we need people like that in this world to speak the truth when no one else will.  It was interesting to me how brave she was in front of everyone in the world with the exception of Leroy.

Miss Skeeter - I really felt her loyalty towards those she loved.  She was willing to look at the world and see her own mistakes and learn and grow from them. 

Miss Celia - She really isn't one of the "main" characters, but I just adored her.  She is like that crazy neighbor or aunt that all of us has.  She never judges others and she is always positive.  You just have to love her despite her bright pink skin tight pants and Marilyn Monroe hair.

And last but not least...

Miss Hilly - I think Miss Hilly is the living version of Minny's chocolate cake.  She's all sorts of nasty on the inside wrapped up in the most scrumptious and adorable chocolate cake you've ever seen.  You can't help but love her enough to gobble up two slices, even if you might regret it later.  This comparison may only make sense in the chaos in my mind!

I do have one negative comment.

Again as with so many books I read lately, most of the men in this book were portrayed as no good drunks who either abandoned their wife and children or stuck around to bet them.  This book was better than most.  At least there was Mr. Skeeter and Mister Johny to redeem mankind a little.

All in all an entertaining and gripping read.

You won't be bored once from cover to cover!

Staycation 2011 - Days 6 & 7

Day 6 - Oh the PAIN! 

I woke up this morning and I couldn't even roll over in bed without wanting to cry.  Sitting up was next to impossible. I somehow hurt my neck and let me tell you it was HORRIBLE!  

The first thought that went through my mind was
"Am I now old enough to have this kind of thing happen?!?"

I still have no idea how I got hurt, but I hope that whatever I did,
I never do it again!

I bet it was that meeting I went to yesterday...I should probably cut those out of my schedule from now on.

My loving and compassionate husband happens to also be a masseuse.  He learned this as part of his degree in college.  You would think this would be a luxury in a marriage.  This is true only if you consider torture to be a luxury.  He can un-knot most kinks you might get  in your back, but despite my screaming into my pillow nothing seemed to be helping.  Most days I think I would just call it a "lay on the couch in pajamas" day, but I had already pre-purchased tickets to Lagoon and we had friends we were meeting there.  I decided to take double the amount of Tylenol recommended by the bottle.  The only time I ever take medication is during and right after pregnancy, so doubling the dosage might not have been the best idea.  I was in excruciating pain though, so best ideas were not really coming to me. After the torture, medication, and a very hot bath I was able to walk, as long as I didn't try to turn my head.
Okay roller coaster...I am ready to take you on!

Before we could do that Soungsik had to do a demonstration at the
International Peace Garden Festival.

Sounds impressive right?

I thought so too, until I got there and it was only about 30 Grandpa's and Grandma's there.

I guess that most of the garden wars have already been handled.

As always my husband amazed everyone.

I was somewhat concerned about him doing his demonstrations on concrete!

My husband is so cool.  The audience thought so too.

Then again I think with this audience I could have wowed them off their seats with one of my line dances from my hostessing days at the steakhouse.

Finally we made it up to the amusement park!

Since I haven't been to Lagoon in over 10 years, I had a few first impression thoughts. Such as:  

 $8.00 for parking?  They must make $8,000 a day just for parking. I am seriously in the wrong business!

and...

What the heck??? I can wear sandles now?  The whole reason I dressed myself and Isabelle in jeans was because last time I came I couldn't wear sandles.  So we were the only ones in there in long pants and tie up shoes.  People must have thought I was a freak, a hot freak - and not in a good way!
That's okay though, because my next first impression thought was, There sure are a lot of freaks here!

Soungsik just keep saying "I think I understand what "white trash" means now."

I wanted to argue back with him about this, but couldn't find any convincing argument against his claims.

 Here are Isabelle and Trent.  

They were so adorable and unafraid.

When I was her age I would have been scared to death to go on some of those rides.

The only ride they were afraid of was the haunted house.

Isabelle rode with my friend Cindy who, thankfully, covered up Isabelle's eyes the entire time.

 The kids went on many more adventurous rides, but we didn't get the chance to take many pictures.

Even after lunch while us adults were basking in the shade the kids had energy to burn by running around.

My poor overly dressed daughter had to keep cooling off in the splash pad area.

Thank heavens for that!

 Here we are on the Tidal Wave.

Isabelle LOVED it!  

She really got into putting her arms up in the air and screaming on all of the rides...

just like a teenager.

I took Isabelle on all of the spinning rides.  It's a good thing I love them too.
Soungsik doesn't really do spinning rides.
I find this strange since he can spin and kick a hundred times over.

Is it wrong to feel like a total dork on the carousel? 

Many of the parents just stood there.  I figure if I am going to be on it I might
as well get to ride a sparkly dragon.  Isabelle made me buckle up for safety.
Then I felt extra dorky, because my dragon didn't even go up and down!

We stayed until they kicked us out.  Most sensible parents take their young children home to bed, but we know that there are no lines in Kiddie Land at 10 p.m. Isabelle had this ride ALL to herself!

 We discovered this ride just before closing.

It was so fun that we rode it 3 times.  

I probably should have acted like an adult and let other children ride, 

but I wanted to be moral support for Isabelle.

That and it was really very fun!

I am thinking Isabelle and I may have to do a mommy daughter date back there in a couple of weeks!

Day 7 - Sunday

Our final day of rest. 

This makes me sad.  I have loved our staycation.

I am not looking forward to normal life starting back up again.

Monday is already jammed packed.

I suppose you must play hard and work hard.

Today I came home early from church because William was in desperate need of a nap and so was my neck.  It turns out that roller coasters are not the best fix for a very hurt neck. Who knew?

We went to Daniel and Erica's for dessert tonight and we all had a really nice time.

It is so great that the cousins get along so well together.

On the way home Isabelle started doing knock knock jokes.

You know the silly kind that 5 year olds do like 

"Knock knock.  Who's there?  Baggy.  Baggy who? Baggy pants...Ha ha ha"

The funny thing today was William started doing them too.

He motioned with his fist a knock and said 

"Knock knock."

"Who's there?" I asked.

Wait for it....it was the same every time...

"GRANDPA"!

Shocker.

Staycation 2011 - Days 4 & 5

Day 4 - Thursday

Today turned out to be catch up on laundry and lay around like a lazy person day.

The only thing of note on this day was Soungsik took the kids to Cabela's and Sportman's Warehouse for over 3 hours by himself.  He usaully never takes both kids by himself, so I was rather proud.  I don't like to spend more than 15 minutes in either of these stores with children.  They start asking for everything and it drives my batty.  So once again we see here how my children have a cooler father than a mother!

While Soungsik had the kids I went to lunch with my friend Staci.

We have been friends since middle school and with all of the moving I have done I consider this quite a feat!

We ate at Olive Garden, because both of our husbands don't especially love Italian food.  They will put up with it, but would prefer a steakhouse every time.  Staci and I talked for quite a while and I think the waitress got a little annoyed. Oh well, we mom's have to make the most of our catch up time!

Day 5 

Friday already?  Where on Earth has this week gone?

Today Soungsik and I had a meeting - even on vacation I suppose some work must get done.

While we were at a meeting Isabelle was frolicking around at the neighbors house in the pool and the sprinklers.  It days like this that I miss being a kid!  

After the meeting we took the kids to the zoo.

It was our first time going this year. It was the first time that William really got into it.

Both of the kids did not want their pictures taken today.

Usually they ask for their pictures to be taken, I don't know what got into them this time.

 

The reptile house always ends up being one of the favorites of the kids.

Even though I HATE, HATE, HATE reptiles, once I get past the smell, I too enjoy the reptile house.

I also respect that they eat so many disgusting insects and vermin.

 

Mr. Independent didn't want to ride in the wagon.

He had to try to pull it...uphill of course.

The funny thing is that with his freakish strength he can actually do it.

Isabelle and I wrapped up the night with a mommy daughter date to a movie in the park.

We went and saw "Tangled" with some friends.

It was really fun and I am looking forward to doing it again soon!

Staycation 2011 - Day 3

Isabelle and I started out today by doing the glamorous business of
cleaning the bathrooms.

I bribed Isabelle with a toy if she would help me clean them.  

She scrubbed all three toilets like her life, or the life of her new doll,
depended on it!

After much scrubbing and much laying around and relaxing we went on a

picnic up American Fork Canyon.

It is always so beautiful there.

The kids loved just walking around in the dirt and water.

 

Soungsik needed help getting his fishing pole ready.

William is always ready and willing to give a helping hand!

 

Soungsik ended up catching 3 fish in the river!

This picture was taken about 5 seconds before
William chucked that rock at my head.

He hit the camera right in the lens, luckily nothing broke.

I guess that's how you know someone is done wanting their picture taken!

We had delicious hamburgers and grilled corn on the cob.

Hamburgers taste so much better in the mountains!

The three stooges.  Larry, Curly, and Mo.  I don't know who is who.

I just know that there is much silliness when these girls get together!

William helping out again!

He is always so concerned for baby Wesley and Grandma 

clearly didn't know how to feed him properly!

Another fun day and another exhausted lady trying to type
and think at the same time!

What fun we are having, I will be sad to see a return to "real" life next week!

Staycation 2011 - Day 2

Today we took the kids to the Museum of Ancient Life at Thanksgiving Point.

I had never been before because honestly I think they charge WAY too much money.

Today was $2.00 Tuesday, so I thought that was reasonable enough!

4,000 other people had the same thought, but it was still very fun!

William was walking around "roaring" at everything.

I had so many cute pictures but there was something wrong with my camera and they ended up blurry!

That's quite the size difference.  I am  very happy dinosaurs are extinct!

Isabelle would have played here ALL day.   William the clean freak wanted to wash his hands after about 2 minutes!

She also could have played here all day.

Look out behind you!  Soungsik - WAKE UP!

We had a lot of fun today, but being a girl from Vernal

AKA "dinosaur town", I still feel like the Vernal dinosaur museum is the best.

This could just be my childhood memory, but I will always be partial!

After the museum Soungsik and I dropped the kids off at home with Grandma and we went on a date.

I had to take him to the delicious ice cream store I discovered yesterday,

which has apparently been in that location for 6 years, but who's counting?

Then we went to the movie theater and saw Captain America.

It started out good, but then turned into weirdness about half way through.

It's a good one to rent I guess.

Then we made a trip to Walmart because no date would be complete without one of those.

To top the night off we went to Goodwoods.

I am stuffed.  I probably gained 5 pounds, but it was worth it!

I am loving staycation!  May it never end!