Last Day of Kindergarten

The kids are happily eating their Lucky Charms and I thought I would grab a minute to say that today is our last day of kindergarten!  An entire year of homeschooling under my belt - I am amazed with myself!  When I first started this homeschooling adventure I had so many doubts in my abilities to teach.  I wasn't sure if the kids would pay attention to me, to "mom", and I wasn't sure I would be able to teach anything.  What I discovered along the way is that I was already a teacher before I began.  These kids have been learning since the minute they were born and they have been learning from me.  I can do it!  I did do it!

I've learned how to modify preset lesson plans.

I've learned how to get supplementary materials from the library (ok, I already know how to do that, but I put it in action).

I learned how to be patient in a way I have never been patient before.

I learned how to take something boring and create a visually stimulating lesson out of it.

I learned that if it is not visually stimulating Bug just isn't interested.

I learned how to schedule even better than I already did.

I learned that sometimes my analness is just that, analness... And I need to get over it.

I learned that my daughter is not and never will be my son when it comes to learning and I will have to take things slowly with her for Pre-K.

I learned that if I can put it on a computer it helps both kids to understand it better.  I guess the tech geek nature of this house rubbed off in big ways.

I learned that PBS has amazing shows that I can record and use to reinforce lessons.  You can get so much from that great station - heck, I'm even thinking of donating in the next drive because I get so much use out of their programming!

I learned that just when I think I can't do it my kids will turn around and prove me wrong, shining bright with the knowledge I have been trying so hard to instill in them.

I learned that some days you just have to walk away - for instance, with those money lessons, walking away from it was the best thing ever.  We were both frustrated.  I'm happy to report that now Bug can combine dimes, nickels, and pennies without giving it a second thought.  He did learn it.  He just needed to not be pressured.

I learned that when homeschooling, even though we have a school room, sometimes the best classroom can actually be the living room couch.

I learned that home school groups aren't all they're cracked up to be so I need to be more proactive in seeking out activities for the kids to get involved in.

I learned that the world is very skeptical about homeschooling and for as long as I continue it I will probably have to answer questions about why, how, is it legal, and accusations about how my kids aren't getting socialized.

I learned that the world is even more skeptical of homeschooling a special needs child and rather than responding defensively to people who question me I need to just smile and say "it works for us".

I learned that even with explaining my reasoning not everyone will understand and people will always be people - and with that brings judgement.

I learned that I never knew what exhaustion was until I started homeschooling... But I am happy to be exhausted as the tradeoff is well worth it.

I learned that Lucky Charms can actually be turned into a preschool lesson for Bean in shapes, colors, and counting.  Gotta love breakfast cereals!

I learned that I have an awesome family who may not totally understand me but who definitely supports me in what I do - and for that I am thankful.

And I learned that breaks longer than two weeks tend to get Bug a little upset as his entire schedule is disrupted so even though kindergarten has ended and first grade won't start until July I will still be planning some sort of daily activity to keep him in the zone.

I'm sure I learned a lot more than that, but for now the list is finished.  The kids are almost done eating and we will soon be starting our last day.  I'm excited - my boy is a kindergarten graduate!  And my Bean, she can't wait to start Pre-K.  She tells me that she will "be a big girl and learn lots".  I love these kids!