Schooling and misc. updates

I haven't talked about our schooling dilemma since I first brought it up at the beginning of February. We actually made a decision not too long after that, but it took awhile to get all the family notified. (I sound like a newspaper reporting a death, don't I?)

Anyway, not long after that post, we made the decision to homeschool next year. Originally, the decision felt more like the lesser of two evils, but since that time, we've actually become pretty excited about it! We're really looking forward to the opportunity to teach our own children! But, instead of the peaceful feeling of closure I was expecting, well...now we've got a lot more decisions coming up regarding exactly how we're going to do this thing! As many of you are aware (probably moreso than I was a couple of months ago), there are a lot of different methods or "schools of thought" about the process of home education - and even the purpose for it. Then beyond that, there is a giant sea of curriculum choices to wade through.

But, it's actually kinda fun! We're getting a pretty good idea of the basic approach we're planning to take, and starting to narrow down curriculum options. I have been wisely advised that one of the most important qualities in homeschooling is the ability to be flexible - if something just isn't working, try something else! I will try to take that to heart as we begin this journey.

Drake will finish out the year at his current elementary school, and we'll officially begin our homeschool in the fall. But we've already started working on some reading curriculum at home that's more specific to our own approach, and plan to do the same with handwriting before the year is out. We hope to continue both of those throughout the summer, and then begin the rest of the subjects in August. Drake also wants to learn to play the piano "for real" - so that's another summertime aspiration, to begin some official piano lessons (from me, to start with).

So those are our plans...but I must keep that flexibility thing in mind. (It's all subject to change!) I just wanted to give an update on what's been going on in the "schooling" arena, since I left you all hanging.

And I want to put this out there right now, too, since I'm thinking about it: I refuse to become a "snobby" homeschooler. I have been frustrated and hurt in the past, as a public school mommy, by certain homeschoolers who have implied that their choice was superior to mine, or that I somehow care less about my children than they do. I vow to never act that way. I do not believe that homeschooling is right for everyone. I do not believe that the way we do decide to do anything at our house is the only "right" way. I want to be a defender of anyone who has labored over their schooling options for their children (and of those who don't really have options), no matter what decision they make. Each individual and each family has a unique purpose and mission and place in the body of Christ and in reaching the world.

Okay, on a little lighter note! These some other needed updates, since I've been such a bad blogger lately:

• Baseball practice has started for Drake, and he's loving it! I'll try to post some pictures of that soon.
• Levi had his 24-month appointment (finally) and he has been officially approved a healthy two-year-old...he doesn't have to go back for another check-up until he's three! This is really a blessing for us, as he's been in to the clinic for check-ups every one to three months since he was about nine months old, because of slow weight gain and slower-than-average crawling/walking. But he is progressing at his own "normal"- and he is perfect just the way God made him!
• Drake's AWANA Games were today (kinda like AWANA Olympics or something), and it was a lot of fun to watch. Drake's group placed second, and he was very excited about it! Unfortunately, I forgot our camera. But I was able to borrow a friend's camera for a picture of all the kids at the end, so I'm happy about that...even though I tripped and fell on this weird lip around the gym floor when I was trying to take the picture! It was very graceful, let me tell you. I was glad the borrowed camera survived the fall!
• Ummmm...I think that's it. My sweet Levi is waking up from his nap now, so I'm signing off. Hope everyone has a great weekend!

AWANA Grand Prix

Last weekend was our AWANA Grand Prix! Drake spent several weeks preparing his pinewood derby car for the big event.

The car starts out as a block of wood. Drake and Adam designed a shape and drew it on the car, which Mr. Murray from AWANA then cut with his bandsaw. Here, Drake is sanding the car after it was cut to the shape he wanted.

Daddy had a go at it with the electric sander! Much faster...but noisy!

Nice and smooth! And lookin' pretty cool with the wheels on there. Next, Drake painted it, but you'll just have to imagine the painting/decorating stage, because there are no pictures!

Finally - it's the big day!

Mom and Levi ready to watch Big Bro's race!

The cars starting to line up for the race.

Drake's masterpiece!

...and a cool side view! We got there early, because Drake wanted to be one of the first to pick his number, ensuring he could get the #8. Why #8? The Seahawks car wouldn't be complete without Matt Hasselbeck's number!

Finally, it's Drake's car's turn. Ready to race!

The Seahawk-mobile won its first two heats! Drake was really stoked!

All the kids cheered as each car's owner was announced before each heat. And they watched the races so intently! Drake ended up winning his first two heats, then losing one, winning one, and losing another. It was a double elimination contest, so after losing twice he was out. (The two races he lost were second-place finishes to the kids who ended up taking first and second place. Not too bad for his first year! He was definitely happy about it!)

After the races, everyone enjoyed cake and other goodies.

Here's Drake showing off his car and "AWANA Grand Prix" ribbon after coming home and getting ready for bed. What a fun time!

Beach pictures, and a fun visit!

We've been having a blast with my parents (Wyatt and Kathi) visiting! How many pictures I would love to post, but unfortunately that's not gonna happen unless I end up with a blogging lull sometime down the road and post them retroactively!

Mom and Dad arrived on Saturday night...Sunday we went to church, then to a local aquarium after lunch (way fun!), and then in the evening, Drake went to AWANA and earned two "jewels" for his vest in one night, and Adam and friend Dave watched the Seahawks vs. Packers game. The Seahawks lost. (That's a total shocker! Right?!?)

All this week we've been doing fun stuff in the afternoons/evenings, including a trip last night out to a favorite local restaurant of ours where we always go with out-of-town guests. It even has live gators in a pond, a playground, and a little gator "museum" of sorts. After Drake got off the school bus today, we headed for the beach, and then to McDonalds for a bit of a late supper. There have also been polka-dancing nights and game-playing nights, and plenty of book-reading by Grandpa and Grandma. So a fun time is being had by all.

Anyway, without further ado, here are the beach pictures I promised in the last post. (Unfortunately, that's all I've got time for right now, although you can imagine that some of the other before-mentioned activities presented plenty of amusing/humorous/cute photo ops as well!)

The little speck dude out there is Adam, boogeyboarding. (I'm sure I totally butchered the spelling on that one, but the closest word Blogger's spellchecker suggests is "keyboarding" - which doesn't capture the essence of the activity very well.) So anyway, Adam spent a lot of time doing this, and it looked like a lot of fun! The waves and current were a bit much for the rest of us, though.

Grandma and Levi playing in the sand. Levi thought the waves were a bit scary today.

Smiley, sandy baby!

Drake enjoyed writing his name, and other things, in the sand with a stick.

The finished masterpiece!

Flying a kite! I should have included a picture of the way it was being flown. On a fishing pole. In a pole holder. Stuck in the sand. We like to be unorthodox around here.

The Fam! Daddy, Mommy, Drake, and Levi

Grandpa and Grandma with the boys!

So anyway...we're having a fantastic time! And now you know why I've been too busy to post for awhile. More to come. (Eventually!)

AWANA Sparks

Drake is participating in AWANA again this year! Last year he was in Cubbies, the AWANA preschool program. This year he's in Sparks, the Kindergarten through 2nd grade program. It's quite a bit different from Cubbies - much more like school and less like play. There is a game time, though, and he enjoys that the most! (Especially since he's been assigned to the Red Team - red is his favorite color of all time.)

The purpose of AWANA is "helping churches and parents worldwide raise children and youth to know, love and serve Christ." That's a pretty great purpose! In case you're curious, the acronym "AWANA" stands for Approved Workmen Are Not Ashamed. That's taken from 2 Timothy 2:15, which says, "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth." AWANA is mostly about memorizing scripture, but also continally presents the gospel and builds on that foundation. We are really happy with it, and feel that it's a good "extracurricular" activity for Drake to be involved in right now.

We hope to be enjoying AWANA for years to come!


After his first week of studying, Drake had earned his Sparks vest! To do that, he had to memorize John 3:16 and be able to answer 4 questions explaining its meaning. He is pretty proud of his new vest! He also earned his Sparks handbook, but they were all out - so he has photocopies of his next few lessons for now!