Oh, But I Really Do Love That We're Not at the Kitchen Table

We have been trying to move to Portland for quite a while. So, finally we are in our new place (and it is not the new place that I had previously alluded to back in February).

We have a daylight basement that is half carpeted and half/tile and cement (rough space = get messy space) with a bathroom, fireplace (I'm totally thinking of cozy winter school days by the fire) and a slider out to a b.i.g. backyard. I could not have dreamed up a better place to house school stuff, let the boys have friends over (and sleepovers!), roughhouse, store the entire Anderson library, set up Hot Wheels tracks and sleep in the summertime when it's too hot upstairs. God has been good to us.

And I strong-armed my husband into buying a new dining table set (at a great deal!) for upstairs so we could take the ratty old country kitchen table and chairs downstairs and forgo having to use a wiggly card table to do school work on. If you see him soon be sure to tell him he's a really, really, really good man. It's all in the name of our kids' education, right?

So, technically we ARE still at the kitchen table, it's just not in the kitchen.

Moving Day

I don't care what anyone else says.
Homeschooling and simplicity are not compatible partners.

Homeschooling When You're Moving

I think you all know the answer to this one. How do you continue the studies when you're moving? Answer: You don't. This morning I had the kids wrap up a lapbook about plants and agriculture, practice their reading, and do their math and handwriting. That was it. After that I was all about changing the utilities, packing up the master bedroom and running errands.

So, the plan is to stop school for now and begin again next Wednesday. Taking a week off, especially a split week is great for all of us. We can do two short weeks at the front and back, and then get back in the full swing of things once we're out of all the boxes...and we find all the stuff.

But there does need to be a balance between what comes next and what is happening right now. When the kids don't have structure they get difficult. And I tend to zone in on packing so much that I ignore them and their squabbles, which are really cries for attention. So, as I'm packing this time I will figure out what I need to get done and then give them times when I will stop and do something with them: play cards, read aloud from our latest book and take a walk if the weather is good. They appreciate knowing they won't be bored all day as they watch their toy supply disappear and I appreciate the break from packing and enjoying my kids even if it's only for 20 or 30 minutes at a time. Of course, at the end we usually call on PBS and Discovery Channel quite a bit too. Right now I told them we'd stop and run to a few places at 3:00...which is just about now.

So, I'm off to make good on my promise.

A New Direction

I have taken on a new responsibility that I'm pretty excited about. Chip and I get to serve on the board of the First Class Central Portland Homeschool Co-op. I essentially get to be the Friday School Coordinator. We are starting up in the fall, but there will be informational meetings all summer. So spread the word to any homeschooler in the area that you think could use some connection, encouragement and fun!

Here's our ad. Print it out and post it around!

ATTENTION HOMESCHOOLERS!

Do you love to offer your kids the extra stuff, but get tired of driving them all over town several days of the week? If you’ve been looking for a place to connect with other homeschoolers while supplementing your homeschool curriculum with the extra stuff just ONE DAY A WEEK, we have got a program for you!

First Class Central Portland is starting a nursery through 12^th grade Christian Homeschool Co-op right in the heart of Portland! Homeschoolers thrive when they are connected with other homeschooling families. When parents pool their resources and talents together for a common goal, amazing things happen! Our mission is to assist in your commitment to teach your children, and help you build up a community of other Christian homeschoolers that will help you go the distance.

Come learn more about the First Class Co-op, meet the leadership team and find out how you can GET CONNECTED with other homeschoolers in your community through a homeschool co-op. Our next informational meeting is:

Saturday, April 19th 11:00 a.m. Central Bible Church 8816 NE Glisan PDX

For more information, contact Tim & Kathy Laws at 503-253-1878 or info@fccentralpdx.org. You can also visit us on the web at www.fccentralpdx.org.

FIRST CLASS CENTRAL PORTLAND is a ministry of First Class Homeschool Ministries (www.fchm.org) and Central Bible Church (www.centralbible.net)