How does your garden grow?

For mother's day I requested to build a garden. We have been talking about it for a while now and I'm not sure what made me want to do it this weekend. Maybe its because I keep seeing a learning opportunity my children are missing, I don't know. We all loaded up the truck on Saturday and drove to our local Lowe's to pick up material. We gathered are landscaping timbers, soil, and all the veggies we wanted to plant. I didn't want to wait on seeds to grow, so we went with a combination of different things. We picked up seeds for watermelon, cantelope, lima beans, green onions, and carrots (at the request of my 5 year old). We picked up some veggie plants as well such as green bell pepper, jalepenos, cucumber, strawberries, and squash. I think we have a wide variety and I'm sure before the end of the year we'll expand on it. Have a look at our new 4'X8' garden box.

In the kitchen, down the hall, by the front door, against the wall?

So last night my husband (Big Papa) and I were talking trying to weigh the benefits of homeschool against public schooling. We have finally reached a decision on whether or not homeschooling is right for our girls. We have decided together that we would take a year off of public school. Our oldest, Chunkey Monkey, will be in the third grade next year. This is also the year she begins TAKS testing if she remains in public school. TAKS testing stresses her out tramendously. We're talking adult stress too, biting her nails, chewing pencils, and even tears. I truly believe that we should relieve this stress for her to keep her as happy and healthy as possible. Our middle daughter, Sugar Booger, will be starting Kindergarten, making it easier for her to be adjusted to homeschooling. Our youngest, Squeekers, will be considered Pre-K in public school, however, because where we live its not a requirement, children are enrolled based on income. Meaning, my husband and I, even though I do not bring in any income, make too much money, and our child doesn't get that learning opportunity.

We are setting realistic goals for us to meet during our first homeschooling year. I am more than sure we will find that our children are overall much happier and still well adjusted. However, we will re-evaluate the situation at the end of the year and decide then if we want to continue homeschooling or put them back in the public school system. I'm sure this time frame will be the much needed time frame to convince my husband that we are doing the right thing for our girls. He still has his doubts.

Now that we've made this decision we must decide where to hold class. I have one month of public school left and three months of summer to get our affairs in order. We considered having a desk for each child toward the back of the living room, but this means we would have to move them up each morning for class then move them back at the end of our school day. Not our favorite idea, but it is definately a possibility. Our next idea is to hold class in the kitchen. Since this truly is where I spend most of my time, this sounds much better to me. The table we currently have will not allow enough space for lessons. We have always talked of getting a breakfast knook type kitchen set. I believe we may do this before its all said and done as this will allow enough for all the kids to work on their stuff without whining about their elbows touching.

Let the organization process begin, Project Carty Homeschool is underway.