Wow. Has it really been that long since I've last blogged? Eek.

I honestly had no idea! Our homeschool year started late August, and I have been in over my head since then.  Not in a bad way, mind you, just in a typical homeschool family kind of way.

The girls are doing beautifully this year!  Although we are using some curriculum, (a nice blend of A Beka and Alpha Omega Lifepac), we are doing a lot more in the way of hands-on.  The girls seem to be very kinesthetic learners when it comes to science and math, but are quite content to sit and do their worktexts for Language Arts and Health.  We also have a wonderful computer program with all of the core Kindergarten subjects, and are eagerly awaiting Muzzy Italian.

Our co-op year is also going well.  So many new faces, fresh to the homeschooling journey.  It's funny how one year down can make you feel like a veteran! This is our second year with the co-op, and I find I get a lot of questions from the new families, especially those with young children.

We had a Halloween party last week...amazing...  It was so wonderful to see these vibrant, happy faces - fifty kids there in all! - who were having the times of their lives. Out in the world, not in a classroom.  All age barriers were non-existent; they all played together and it was, as I said, amazing.  Almost breathtaking.  Free range children! =)    We had Mexican hot cocoa, sugar candy skulls, a hayride, pumpkin painting, eyeball on a spoon races, mummy taping races, pin the nose on the jack-o-lantern, slime making, trick-or-treating...we even all sat together on blankets and had lunch.  Thanks so much to Beth for offering up her home and property last Thursday for this event!!

But, by far the best part of they year so far - BOTH of my parents now know of our educational choice for the girls.  Dad was always supportive.  Mom, it seems, has come around.  Even if just slightly.  She is concerned, and I can understand that.  She and Dad are educators.  They are also grandparents.  This is not mainstream, and I can sympathize with her fears and concerns.  But it is out there, in the open, and the respect for our choice is there.  Phew.  I feel like our two week trip to Disney & Venice will be even more fun - perhaps they can even help with the lapbook masterpieces we intend to make, documenting our trip and things we learned along the way!

Speaking of educators...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WdqQTIQhn5A&feature=player_embedded...a joyous video.  Some may argue that this is "all in the editing" or is taken "out of context".   I will keep my opinions to myself and merely share.  There ARE awesome teachers out there - I fully contend that my parents are two of them!!  I have friends, and family, and family friends who are teachers.  I have respect for them.  But there does come, for many teachers, a sense of entitlement (thank you, NJEA).   I have also formed many opinions on that particular union, which I will also keep to myself.    Suffice to say, I think Governor Christie made some very valid points and decisions...   Teachers are NOT the problem.  Having hundreds and hundreds of administrators in one of the smallest states in the country IS a problem.  Having bad teachers, detrimental teachers, protected by tenure IS a problem.  And I do not see the problem with paying into your own benefits.   Our state is taxing us into the poorhouse.  Something needs to be done.  And the NJEA needs to release its stronghold; education reform is necessary NOW!

Okay, enough of a rant for today.  Tomorrow is the weekly  homeschoolers' open swim at the YMCA. We go every week, except for once a month when Abigail has her homeschoolers' book discussion group at the library.  Time to get some rest!