The World According to Leslie

As Chasity's high school and homeschool days are coming to an end, May 2021, I find myself reflecting on the things we have done and how they worked, or did not work for us.  One thing that we had to adjust quite often in the beginning was the schedule. It has changed a lot over the years.  When Chasity was in 9th grade, we had to play around with her schedule to get it just right for her and us. I was working part-time, and we were new to homeschooling. Oh yeah....and it was HIGH SCHOOL!!   Typically, I worked 3-5 hours a day at the daycare where my mom was the director. It was normally 10am-12:30pm (or 2:30pm), depending on the day. If I was going in as a substitute teacher in the school system, I would work longer days.  At the beginning of October 2017, I was called to cover a maternity leave from October 16th to December 1st. Then the teacher decided to stay out until Christmas break. Then, the week before Christmas, she decided she wanted a week AFTER brea...

 As you know, I am staying home and helping my sister with her two littles. The schools here are completely virtual, at least for the time being.  So, I have my kiddo upstairs doing her community college classes for dual credit (high school and college). Then I have a 2nd grader and a 4th grader downstairs at the dining room table with me.  As I type this, the 2nd grader to my left is watching a live video of her teacher, and the teacher can see her. Every so often, she unmutes herself and speaks to her teacher and classmates. On my right, the 4th grader is watching a live video of her teachers (yes, two of them), but the teachers can neither see or hear her. The 2nd grader will have the chance to do a 2-3 minute dance break, but the 4th grader will sit there. She will get a 5 minute break, but unless she goes to the potty, she will not move from her seat.  This goes on every day from 8:30-10am. At that time, they either go to small group with teachers, or they do in...

 I know that we just completed our first year of homeschool!  Chasity has finished 9th grade. Since she completed 3 credits in middle school (public, before we pulled her to homeschool) and she did 9 classes this year.  She TECHNICALLY has enough credits to be considered a JUNIOR!  NO... I'm not trying to get her out of the house any sooner.  We are leaving her as a SOPHOMORE for next year.  She will have her classes at home, and she will do dual enrollment for 11th and 12th grade... but... that's a different story. So....  We had an interesting journey to start homeschooling. As most of you know, I worked in the public school system as a Sign Language Interpreter for 4 years. I also taught high school English for 4 years. I'm currently (well, when school's in session) a substitute teacher. I love working in the school system.  The system just wasn't working for Chasity!  (And no, I don't have a sob story with a list of peo...

Every morning, I run out of time before going to work. There are always things I want to get done, but I can’t.   At work, there are a million things to do, but some get left for “tomorrow”.   When I go to bed at night, my mind reels with all the things that should have/could have/would have done if there were more hours.   Anyone else feel like you are just running out of time?

This is my 600th post. I have been waiting for the right thing to write, and I think this is it!   Today, the Princess starts at a brand new school. She has her backpack and supplies all ready. Her uniforms are laid out and waiting. She is always excited about school, but this year it seems even more so.   She’s going into the 5th grade. Like I said, it’s a BRAND NEW school. They just finished building it in July. The teachers are still working to make the rooms perfect….even yesterday!    I am heading into a new school year. I am excited for the things that await me this year. In reality, I only have plans for today finished. I worked really hard on everything else this past week, and I attended a million and one meetings (or so it seems)! So, today during my planning period, I will be PLANNING!  I’m glad to be at a school that will allow me to do that. Other schools have things for the teachers to do every day during their planning periods. ...

I guess this week, we are back to "normal"....whatever that is. We are having a full week of school.  That's something we haven't done in 2 weeks.  We will be in class for the entire day.  That's something we haven't done in 3 weeks.  (We get out early on Exam days!) Ohhh....today, the kids get their report cards!  Can't wait!  I know the Princess will have really good grades! :)  Now....  to get myself back on a "normal" schedule.  Hmmm.....  that's easier said than done, I think. 

Chasity has finally made her decision! After a few days of going back and forth, she has decided to officially play baseball AND softball!!  We signed her up on Saturday.  Although Saturday was, I do believe, the coldest day of the year so far, she went to baseball camp for about an hour.   We can see how this goes.  Try-outs are this weekend.  Games start in March! I think she will like it once we get started!