The World According to Leslie

 There are a million-and-one things that go into homeschooling. Over the past four years, I have been making notes about the things we have needed, wanted, gotten, or gotten rid of in our homeschool.  Enjoy the ABCs of Homeschooling according to Leslie. (Please note that some letters may have more than one thing!   Photo by Brett Jordan on Unsplash A--Attitude; Art supplies; Art classes B--Books; Binders; Boldness; Bowling Balls C--Curriculum; Conferences; Computer; Compassion; Curiosity; Calculator; Classes D--Desk; Dinner; Dining Room; Decisions; Dishes E--Expectations F--Faith; Fun; Family; Flashlights; Forgiveness; Fairness G--Goals; Grace; God; Google H--Humility; Help; Home; Hot Chocolate; Honesty I--Integrity; Intensity; Imagination J--Jammies; Jokes K--Kids; Kindness; Kidding L--Library Card; Love; Lesson Plans; Learning M--Mentor; Mind; Mental Health N--Notebooks; Neatness; Niceness; Noise; Notes O--Openness; Open-mindedness; Outings; Obedience  P--Pen...

For the past few months, Tony and I have been toying with the idea of homeschool. We went to the Homeschool Conference in Winston-Salem back in May. We got many questions answered and came up with many more questions to ask. I kept researching. We actually planned out what curriculum we would use. We talked to the family about it. Not all of them are 100% sure it would be the best thing for The Princess, but they all said, "You have to do what you feel is best." We talked to The Princess about it. She wasn't 100% on-board. We weighed pros and cons. In some cases, we even wrote them down because the discussions got a little deep (aka loud!). We finally made a decision. On September 1, 2017, The Princess will proudly begin taking classes at Boundless Triumphs Academy--our newly registered (and approved by the state) homeschool!  After much prayer, thinking, planning, talking, discussing, and weighing options, the three of us (Tony, The Princess, and I) hav...

I know I keep posting about the countdown for the Princess to finish 8th grade. We have had some trials and struggles this year, but who hasn't? It really is going to be bittersweet. She's finishing 8th grade. It was like this when she finished 5th grade too. (Our transition years, 5th and 8th) have been struggles.  :(  But, she always does really well with it. She's going to be in high school in the fall. How did that happen?  Before long, she's going to be taking Driver's Ed and wanting to drive the car.  (Please note I said WANTING TO.... no guarantees we're letting her drive!! That might be more than I can handle!) This year, I've seen her change from the kid who didn't want to go back to school because she was being bullied last year to the kid who can't wait for this year to be finished because she's ready to go to high school. She's taking 3 high school classes. She's already ahead of the game, in that department. We ar...

Yesterday, I posted about all the tests that the Princess has to take over the next 6 school days. You can read that here . When I picked her up yesterday, she said she felt good about her Math test.  She should be fine with the English test today. She usually does well on it. However.... This morning, when I dropped her off at school, she looked at me and asked me if she has to keep going to school. Seriously? I didn't want to make her get out of the car and go in for another day of testing! It's only going to get worse, I figure. So, as I sit here with tears in my eyes, I have to force myself to force my kid to go to school for tests. I'm just hoping that for the next 6 mornings she doesn't ask me to keep her at home.  It will only get harder for me to say "Go to school" every day. What heart-breaking questions have your kids asked you?

I have mixed feelin about the end-of-year testing. Did you know that in middle school, there are 3-4 different types of tests?  There's the EOG (end-of-grade test, for selected middle school subjects), the EOC (end-of-course test, for students in high school classes in certain subjects), the NCFE (North Carolina Final Exam, for most subjects that do not already have an EOC/EOG), and teacher-made exams (for classes that don't have a state test but still require a final exam grade)!!  My daughter gets to take 4 EOGs/NCFEs, 2 EOCs, and 1 teacher-made exam!!  Yes!! That adds up to SEVEN!!!!  SEVEN tests for my ONE child!!!! As a teacher, I can see that it is useful to see where students may have deficits in certain areas. I do not, however, think that the tests should be used at the end all/be all for the students. They should be used to help differentiate learning for the students. Find a way to teach the students what they lack. Find a way to enrich what they do ...

On Friday, Tony and I went to the NCHE Homeschool Conference. Check out information about it here at THRIVE! 2017 We did not attend the sessions. After a lot of research, we decided to check out the Vendor Hall. I'm glad that we didn't try to do the classes too. My brain could NOT have handled it. After a few hours in the vendor hall, my brain was completely fried. The vendors were set up in a HUGE hall. There were 232 spaces. Some of the vendors had 2-8 spaces for themselves. But... still.... that's A LOT of people!  Before we went, I had done my research. I knew for SURE who I wanted to see. I knew some of the ones I wanted to check out just to be sure. I had downloaded a map of the vendor hall and had highlighted the ones I wanted to check out. By the time we got there, and started through the first row of vendors, I had put the map and my list in the backpack. We decided just to check out ALL the vendors. Some of them were NOT what I wanted.  So we didn'...

Have you ever been on "autopilot"? For the past couple of weeks, I have had so much stuff to get done. I just feel like I'm on "autopilot" trying to complete stuff. I am still working on VBS.  While I have a core team of people, I still need about 15-20 more volunteers. Plus, we have to do volunteer training (May 20th) and get all the supplies together for everyone!  While we have a good bit of stuff already for The Princess's Silver Award, we still need a lot more stuff.  As of today, she has been approved to have a yard sale on May 27th and to put up wish lists on Amazon and Dollar Days.  I will post the details of those here when we get them set up. We are still working on getting stuff collected and raising money for the Better to Give project at church. I have a Wish list set up through Dollar Days for that, and I will post that information here ASAP! It's also the end of the year--school year! Next week, the final progress reports for ...

As you all know, we are researching options for The Princess for school next year. I'm sure you're getting tired of hearing about it.  Right now, she's registered at the local public high school in the International Baccalaureate program. We have applied for the NC Virtual Academy, but we won't know for sure about it until the application date is here--April 21. IF they have to do a lottery, they won't do it until April 28th.  WOW!  That seems like so far away, but it's really not!! Anyways.....  We are also looking at homeschooling.  I have been doing my research. I've been looking at the NC requirements and laws online. I've been reading reviews and checking out all the different curricula available. (Maybe not ALL...there are tons out there!) Yesterday, I went "old school"!  I went to the public library to pick up a couple of books about homeschooling. I ended up, actually, going to both of the branches of the public library closes...

Since the year The Princess was in third or fourth grade, every year, about this time, I start looking at options for school for her. I have friends and family who homeschool. I always peruse that as an option. I have gone online and figured out what subjects we would need, where we would get them from, and (unfortunately!) the costs. There are some places I can get things online (like secondhand) but I won't start looking in earnest until we make a decision. Homeschooling (probably) gives us the most flexibility with subjects and schedules. When she is listed as a Junior, she can start taking Dual Enrollment classes at the local Community College for high school and college credit (for FREE!!)!!!!  Her fifth grade year, she was at a local Charter school. It didn't work out so well. (We went through 3 teachers and 2 principals in one year.)  I guess we could always look at going back there (now that they have been open and running for a few years) as an option. It's n...

Last Friday, Tony and I checked the Princess out of school early. We had the car loaded up, and we headed to Pigeon Forge. The Relentless Youth Group from Remedy Church left earlier that morning for Shabbach Youth Conference 2017. We didn't want her to miss an entire day of school, so we checked her out after 1/2 day. That means that Tony was off work on Friday. We drove up on Friday. We dropped the Princess off with the group just in time for church services on Friday night. We hung out with the group at the Alpine Coaster , where Tony's cart got stuck on the track in the pouring rain! (That's a completely different story!)   We also went to ride go karts and play at the arcade! Sunday, after the morning services, we collected the Princess from the group. We hung around and did some things together as a family. Then we headed home. Tony had some vacation days to use, so he also took Monday off of work. We went grocery shopping (which we normally do on Sun...

Philippians 4:13--"I can do all things through Christ who strengtheneth me." (KJV) We all know that verse. We all quote that verse. What does it really mean to you? Today, it means that I can do the things I need to do because Christ is giving me the strength. It means that, although Facebook reminded me that 7 years ago today we held my Grandmother's funeral, I can remember the good things about her and know that I will see her again one day. It means that even when times are tough, I am tougher. Today, that verse tells me that no matter what, I have the strength of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. I can do anything... even when my body, my mind tells me I can't. It could be the simple things like dealing with the pain in my left shoulder. It could be the more aggravating things like dealing with a teenager! (WOW! Enough said!) It could be big things like dealing with financial situations, jobs, family, and faith. For me today, that verse ...

As you all know, I have a 13 year old daughter. Sometimes, she's a handful. Sometimes she seems to have everything together. Her grades are awesome. She has everything when she needs it, where she needs it. Sometimes, she seems like she would lose her head if it wasn't attached. That has been our house the last couple of weeks. Last week, she forgot her Spanish notebook. Luckily for me, she remembered it (and yelled, "I don't have my Spanish notebook" and scared me to death) as we were pulling in to the school parking lot for drop off. Then there was the lunchbox that we had to turn around to get. She remembered it before we got too far down the street. Yesterday, it was her flashdrive, her pencil bag (one of those zipper bags that holds pens, pencils, markers...everything), and flash cards for Social Studies. So, I came home from dropping her off and rounded up all of her stuff and took it to school before I went to work at the daycare. Today, well, tod...

I've known for a long time (you know, forever) that my daughter wouldn't stay little forever. In fact, she's 13 now! It's crazy! She's in 8th grade. She's so smart. She's so pretty. She's becoming so independent. She's taking high school classes, while still in middle school. In short, she's growing up too fast, and she's AMAZING!! Last night, however, she proved that she's even more amazing than I could have imagined. We went to the College Fair sponsored by the local school district. There were about 200 schools there. She grabbed this list/map and decided on the schools she wanted to visit. She already has a chosen major. She walked up to the reps and introduced herself and asked about the program she wants. After talking to the reps for a few minutes, they all offered for her to give information and "be sure you apply early." So, the Princess says, "How early can I apply? I'm in 8th grade." Out of the...

The doctors told me to "return to normal" so I have been doing everything I normally do.  Almost everything.... I haven't had a chance to get back to the gym. I'm still trying to work that into my strange schedule.  I get the Princess off to school in the mornings. Then I head to the daycare to help my mom, since my friend who really works there is still out on medical leave. After I leave there, different days are different times, I head home for just a little bit before heading to get the Princess from softball practice. Two days a week, she has games. As of last Wednesday, the first game, she is the starting first baseman! Last year she only got to play in 2-3 games because she was in 7th grade. This year, as an 8th grader, she's a starter!  She got her same number too!  #18!!!! We have school stuff, like meetings and stuff to handle in the evenings. We have church stuff. We also have Girl Scout stuff. We stay pretty busy!  However, it's nice to be ...

After finding out last Monday that I have an aneurism behind my eye, I have been pretty calm and relaxed. That's mainly because my family is making me take it easy. :) I still do not know when I am going in for my neuro-surgical consult. I called and left a message for the nurse to call me. She called and they are waiting for the referral to be approved.  I guess that means it's not an emergency situation!!! Now.... I'm just waiting for lots of things to happen. Thursday of this week, 8/18, is a big day.  My Princess is going to be 13!!  WOW!  A teenager!!  Also, on Thursday, we have the Concord-Kannapolis "Battle for the Bell" Game! (Supposedly it is the last year that the game will be the season opener!!) We are CONCORD all the way! Go Spiders!! On Friday, the Princess starts softball try-outs for her 8th grade year! How did she get this old? Monday through Wednesday, we have the Kidz Crusade at church. I'm hoping to get to go. Saturday is the Pr...

I love writing! I have always loved writing! I have had this blog for a few years, but I still have a habit of writing in notebooks--on actual paper. I'm old school! Since May 1, 2015, I have been writing in my "Surgery Thoughts" notebooks. Yes, notebookS! There are three of them. My surgeon told me to document my thoughts, my food, my exercise... my journey as a whole. So, on May 1, 2015, I started writing in a composition book. That first day, I wrote about how I was going to work out with my trainer and how I was only 42 days away from surgery. During the past year, I have not written every day. I have written most days. I guess, in the world of technology that we live in, I should probably get used to writing online. Does anyone know how these people make money writing blogs?  I would love to be able to do that!  For now, I'll write here from time to time. One day, I'll write about how I quit my job (right before major surgery!). {It's a ...

As of today, there are only 24 days of school left for the kids. That means that I have 26 days of work left.   Updates:   1. In February, my Principal told me that my job may be on the line. The class I currently teach is funded by a Federal grant that runs out in June. (There are 5 of me—one at each High school in the district. Each of us was in the same boat.) There was only one difference.  Each of the other teachers (at the other schools) had been hired as an English teacher. So, they had higher rank in their departments because I was hired FOR the grant position.  A couple of days before Spring Break, my Principal came to me to let me know that they added some sections for next year, and I get to keep my job.  It was awesome!   2. In March, Tony and I got a letter that we were going to owe $1600 to the IRS for something that was on our taxes in 2012. (YES! TWO years ago!) So, our tax lady (my awesome sister in law) did some research for us...

I hope that everyone is having a great Halloween…or at least plans to!   Tonight, my Princess and my sister’s oldest foster daughter are going to be handing out candy to ghouls and goblins. The only thing I don’t like about our house (other than it’s hard to get up the stairs when I am exhausted at night…lol) is that we don’t have a storm door. So, tonight, when the “creatures” come, we have to open the entire house to them.   I am going to be working on invitations for my parents’ party. I still don’t have them made. Actually, the only one that is completely assembled is the one we used to invite Mom and Dad to the party!     At school today, the Princess is going to be Sadie from The Kane Chronicles. Since she attends a “uniform school,” she has to pay $1 to get to dress in anything other than the uniform. Yesterday was “Think Pink” day for Breast Cancer Awareness. The $1 went to cancer research!   Today, the $1 goes to the school as a fundrais...

Note: I love alliteration. Don’t you? I have finished all my afterschool meetings with adults for the week….well, almost.   Today, I have a Multicultural Club meeting. (I hope a lot of kids show up!)   Tonight is Girl Scouts. We have had 11 every week so far. I hope we keep a large group! It’s easier to do things with them if we have a huge group.   Tomorrow I have training after work. The kids get out at 10:30. Then the teachers are required to work until 3pm because we have training.    Monday is a Teacher Workday. If I can get most of my projects that the kids turned in this week graded today and tomorrow, I don’t think I’m going to work on Monday. (I could bring them home…..that way I’m not going INTO work!)   Here is my request.  And…. it’s random.  I have found a way to earn credit towards technology for schools. Every school is looking for free ways to get things into the classroom. So….  did you know that if yo...

I have never really been good at letting people help me. Oh, I will. I just think that sometimes I should just do it if I want it done.   So with the PTC at the Princess’s school, I’m in charge of the Social Committee. This is cool, but I have been trying to take care of everything. So I sent an email out to my leads today and told them what I need them to do. I think this is going to be interesting.   I need to step back just a little so that we can all work together. It will be fine. (That’s what I have to keep telling myself!