Time for School

Last year I worked with Harry on improving his penmanship, phonics and math. We had a very loose schedule and it was simply preparing him for beginning school. This year, just last week, we began school in earnest! In our desire to make Scotland as much of our home as possible, I have come to the conclusion that I want his school learning to be close to what kids in schools here would learn. I knew from the beginning that I wanted to incorporate some Scottish/ UK history. After thinking about it a little more, I thought it would be a good idea to use mainly UK textbooks.

My mom homeschooled us for a little bit before we had to attend the German schools (they do not allow home education). When we returned to the States she was able to teach us at home once again. I thought I would go this route and use a familiar curriculum. Although I would still like to use many textbooks that I am familiar with, I believe I will try to use more UK material.

For Harry this means he is not in Kindergarten, he is in Primary 1. This is similar to Kindergarten and a little of 1st grade. In history he'll be learning about Florence Nightingale, the London fire, Guy Fawkes and many other simple historical happenings/figures in the UK. He'll have a bit of science, geography, art and music. We'll use books and also some online resources. I found a website that shows what children might learn in each school year. This has been really helpful to me.

Kathy only joins us 2 days a week. We do a Bible time together every day. Right now I'm just focusing on her knowing her letters and numbers. She is also working on tracing and perfecting her shapes. Drawing is not one of her strengths!! :) She does love making up stories and singing.

It's been really interesting doing all this with a baby crawling around wanting your undivided attention! Much of the time Audrey plays pretty well on her own. Then the other part she is trying to see what they're doing and trying to grab their books or pencils. I'm trying to move her to one nap in the afternoon. So far I always lay her down at 11:30, but it makes her afternoon nap so late. This means she stays up later instead of going to bed with Harry and Kathy. I tried one nap today and it worked very well! She was a little crabby when lunch time arrived, but she ate quickly and was able to lay down right away.

Here are some of the UK sites that I use, as well as the curriculum plan for Scotland:

http://www.crickweb.co.uk
http://www.everyschool.co.uk/

https://www.education.gov.uk/schools/teachingandlearning/curriculum/primary

Until next time...

Audrey

One year ago on August 3rd we went to Regional Hospital in St. Paul for a scheduled c-section. I had hoped for an attempt at natural birth but this little lady, just like Kathy, was in a transverse position. She was also past her due date.
Three days later we were hoping to be released. A nurse came and informed me that she was having a doctor listen to her and they were going to do an ultrasound. Soon they returned to tell me that she would be transferred to St Mary's NICU in Rochester to be closer to us. Her condition: coarctation of the aorta, and she would need surgery. Two weeks after she was born we were able to take Audrey home.
At 6 weeks old she got to experience a 13 hour trip to Scotland. She did really well on the flight, even better than the older two :)
Audrey is getting better at standing and loves to follow her brother and sister around. She has 5 teeth. Out of everything that she is able to eat she loves peas!  She will get very excited and start banging on the tray when she sees me get out the peas!!
Harry and Kathy love having Audrey around. They sometimes have the idea that she can do a lot more than she actually is able to! 
I am so glad that we were able to have both grandparents watch her open presents and eat cake.  On Saturday we skyped with them (it was 9 am their time!). It was great for them to share this special FIRST birthday with us!!