Back to School

It's official....yesterday was the Starling's first day of school for the 2008-2009 school year, which seems odd since most of my friend's children have already been in school for almost two weeks. But since Florida passed a "save our summer" bill a couple of years a ago, schools do not start now until around the 20th of August, so we chose to do the same.

Where does time go? It seems like just yesterday, Jonah was starting kindergarten and now he is starting the 7th grade. Four of his classes he is taking online this year through Florida Virtual, which has him sooooo excited that he is already working ahead in his classes, let's hope he keeps it up! The program is a really neat program and will help him in many ways, plus he thinks it cool that he gets to work on a laptop. I can not believe that this year marks the 5th year that we have been home schooling, WOW, which means that my little girl is now in the 5th grade. She is growing up so fast. We had an awesome first day. Everyone woke up on time, the four of us had a nice breakfast together and by 8 we had started school. Monday is usually Phillip's office day so he was home all day and since most kids do not get to wear pj's to school on the first day, I did not insist that the kids get dress at a certain time like I had in the past. There will be plenty of other days for that. Courtney, in her pj's, reading Anne of Green Gables
My favorite 5th grader
Teacher's pet!

That Time of Year

Part of me and YES, a very big part of me is glad that it is the end of the school year. While the other part of me is now faced with the challenge that I always dread!! That is the part of going through the homeschool closet and deciding what we need to keep, what we need to donate and this year I have to make sure that everything I keep is up to Florida Standards in other words a portfolio as opposed to what I used to do for KY. Be honest, is there anyone out there that can honestly go through a entire closet or a room and know exactly what to do with everything. If so, come see me, because I think that I am pretty organized but there are still a few things that I hesitate about.

Just like with children's clothes, with school books I have to look at what of Jonah's I liked enough that I can use again for Courtney, I have to decide is it worth keeping multiple sets of things like flash cards or books we have not read in a year or two. Which again just like children's clothes, makes for extra storage in a house that has no attic space for heavy books. Is it worth keeping for 2 years, I have done my fair share of holding on to things and then never using them and I have also done just the opposite, given something away and within a week I am kicking myself for doing it.

This month we our completing our 4th year homeschooling Courtney and our 3rd year homeschooling Jonah, WOW, some days I never thought that I would survive and still there are days when I want to throw in my hat but I just walk across the street and talk to my friend Leslie about the public school system then I walk back across the street to my sweet home and I love home schooling once again. This year has probably been the year that I have developed the most confidence of being a home school mom, even though there has been those occasional walks across the street, overall I have realize that Phillip and my decision to home school Jonah and Courtney has been for the best. It is hard to believe that in August, Courtney will start the 5th grade and Jonah will start the 7th grade, where does the time go.

But for now...... Thank God for Summer Days and as a friend of mine recently said, "Thank God for the Freedom of Homeschooling!!"

Paint Out Field Trip

Orange lake as seen from the look out. Yesterday, Leslie and I took our children on a field trip to the Evinston Paint Out along the Heart of Florida Scenic Trail. She and I had already visited the paint out site early in the week and thought that it would be a fun, educational field trip for both of our children. A paint out for those who are not familiar with them ( I was not till I meet Leslie) is where artists are invited to paint on location for usually a week. The artists set up their easels in many different locations around the area and then displayed their paintings in wet rooms where you have the option of purchasing them. Then at the end of the paint out there is a big Collector's Gala, which Leslie and I will attend Friday night in Gainesville.
With the different artists about 45 in all, located through out the area, many painting the same structure or landscape, it was very interesting to the children to see the different interpretations of the same thing. In fact the kids enjoyed looking at the paintings the wet rooms and comparing them to the different styles of the artists and then spotting the real live tree, landscape or structure and recognizing the items that was left out or moved a little because the artists felt like it would make for a better painting.
This was one of the many artists that the kids observed and asked questions. This is Aliye Cullu, her name is pronounced like "Aleah", isn't that pretty, if fact if I was ever to name a girl I think that I would use this name, which is Turkish.
I really wanted the kids to enjoy this field trip and not think that it was a true bore. These pictures here showed Leslie and I that the kids enjoyed it. Here the kids was sketching and watching an artists at work and I have to say that the artists were very interactive with the kids in answering any questions and explaining what they were using whether it be pastels (chalks), oil paint, or a palette knife or brushes. All four kids kept notes of things that they learned throughout the day. I think one list had 20 things.
The infamous roll of barbwire that many of the artists were painting. One of the artist, Robin Popp, who had 3 different paintings of this and was beginning her fourth pointed out to the kids a birds nest that was nestled down inside the roll.
Leslie and I packed picnic lunches for lunch which we enjoyed at a park in downtown McIntosh, another place that the kids spotted flowers, houses and barns that had been painted by different artists. This was one of the barns and the only reason we knew it because in talking with one of the artists he spoke of a old satellite that was in front of the barn that he left out of the picture and of course we left out of our photos. Here are just a few pictures that we took at the barn. The sun was really too harsh and if anyone out there could tell me how to avoid glare from glasses, I would appreciate it, because I have tried everything.

I have painted this scene from Orange lake, maybe one day I will share it with you. I have never framed it but it sits on our piano. Courtney and Andie sat beside Mr Henry Woods on the hayride, he grew up on this land that has been in his family for many generations. Mr Henry told many stories about the property and the town of Evinston, while we took a hayride around the countryside and orange lake.
I would love to try my luck at painting these palm trees.
This is the true reason why we put together this field trip for the kids. Leslie had spotted this painting a month or so a go and while she and I where in Evinston early in the week we ran into the artist, Trisha Beckman (the tallone) and Leslie was inquiring about this painting and Trisha said that she had not sold it and would bring it for Leslie to look out. Well, Leslie wanted my opinion (like it is worth anything) so I told her that I would go back with her but would have to bring the kids and that is how this wonderful field trip came about.
Jonah was hiding from the girls in this patch of wildflowers along side of the road. I hope to take the kids back sometime this week so that I can get better pictures of them in the wildflowers since the sun was at its peak and the light was very harsh, however I am pleased with a few of them.
The historic hamlet of Evinston is home to Florida's original and oldest Post Office, the 1882 Wood and Swink Old store and Post Office. I took this picture from across the street through a patch of wildflowers. I wanted a close up picture of the building however since one of the wet rooms was located right next to the building and there were signs and cones in front of the building, it was not very picturesque. I was pleased with this picture and was my favorite one for the day. I may even enlarge it and frame it, who knows! This is the small post office area that is located inside the store which is still active.

School's Out for the Summer

Last Friday was our official last day of school for the 2006 - 2007 school year (yeah!!!). This year has flew by. I can not believe that I now have a 4th grader and a 6th grader. Where does time go? These pictures were taken last Thursday at the Home School Association's field day (yes, home schoolers do have some activities like the public schools).

Check out the tennis ball in mid air and Yes, that is Andrew G. with his mouth WIDE open. Of course, I am sure that Jonah is going to love having a picture of him on a pink tricycle.

Go, Courtney, GO!!!!

Can you do this? I surely can't!



Both kids took a semester of Martial Arts through the home school co-op. These pictures were taken of Courtney showing off her stuff (watch out boys).