Fly~

Yesterday morning we checked the butterflies and they were still sleeping. Around 4:30 Jax checked them and three were actually coming out right then. I have never seen such an amazing thing. So amazing. It was like watching birth and I guess it was. I didn't think there would be blood when they climbed out. The butterflies attached them self back to the top and let the blood and goooo drip off and then they just stood very still and eventually their wings started to slowly go up and down.

We called our neighbor Kathy next door and all 8 of us (daycare kids included)watched while the butterflies just basked in the sun. They never flew off the driftwood we put them on and when we checked this morning they were not there. But we did see two flying today around the garden and one was dead. I think Ms. Claire Louise, Kathy's cat, munched a bunch on one as their where butterfly remains every where. Too funny.

While we were napping today the other two hatched. I walked past the entertainment center and there were two little ones just looking around, flickering their wings. We took them outside. We put drops of water on the table and one took it's long tongue and drank some! Wow! did that go over well with us all. Just amazing.

We want to do more! We are addicted now. I still can't fathom how a caterpillar can turn into such a gorgeous creature and with wings.

~The Fall weather is gorgeous! Just intense blue skies and an awesome wind. After running an errand last night Jax asked if we could go to the $1.50 movie to see Nanny McPhee. I had to stop my thought process of "you have school/homework" and said YES!! let's go. So, we went and it was a fun time. Ashton snorted like a pig when the pigs were running around.It was very funny. He loves his farm animals.

Jax being home has been really good so far. I know this may be part of a honeymoon phase and I am well aware but I am sure basking in the happiness and stillness of my life these past two days and really since his being the new meds. There is still quite a bit of bouncing with 6 day care kids but with Jax he is so much calmer. He is so much more obedient. Not so defiant. He has really been helping out with jobs even with out my asking.

He can focus on slicing an apple and has complete sentences and thought processes. I'm not constantly stressed out and I have had to remind myself not to get stressed when he starts to do something because it's just different now. So calm. I have had four years of bouncing, pounding, craziness, etc.. that I am having to really step back and think before reacting or getting myself worked up.

If you go by what the State recommends you only have to teach your child 4 hours a day. Jax and I wrote our schedule out for 5 hours a day so we can have school off on Fridays and have Field Trip Fridays. Jax has enjoyed his school work so far (it's only been two days) and been defiant once and in return was made to sit upstairs on the toilet for 30 minutes which is quite hell for a child with ADHD. He promptly came down, apologized, and went back to work..hahehehehahahaha!!!

Jax came up with the great idea of being Vice President of the day care so today he was sworn in and we marched in circles honoring him into the daycare and he takes his job so seriously. He has actually been a great help. He helps prepare meals, serve drinks, reads books, plays games, etc.. I am proud of him.

I have been told the last 4 years, especially the past 2, that the right medication combo will work out and that his schooling would work out, etc... and I want to say I think it has. I guess I am afraid that all this "normalcy" if you can call it or what my life used to be before the ADHD became in full effect is back. I always had Faith but it did wain a bit at times. I realize that these meds can change and fade in it's goodness as fast as it comes but I sure am grateful for the calmness in my home, in my son, in my heart. Jax even sleeps calmer. How nice.

Unschooling my thoughts

Today has been a good day for me but it's been a weird day as well. I am in the "Retrain your brain" mode once again. Not only do I do this with learning what I want, my past religion and it's thinking and now on to school.

I find it very interesting that when we put our kids in public school we really lose them. By that statement I mean we really have no control over our children. School tells them how to dress, what time to be there, what to eat, what not to eat, what to learn, how to think, how to walk, what to fear and not fear and then children come home with hours of home work and parents have to adjust their lives to fit their schools needs. How many times have you wanted to go some where or you did go but you had the "dreaded" home work that you had to get done. If you didn't do your homework you would have to answer to a parent.

I guess I am in shock that the process to pull one's kid out and home school was so easy but having a kid in school is so hard. With home school you don't have to do anything you don't want to do. Most states don't care what you teach your kid as long a they pass their End of Grade tests. The only requirement they really ask is that your legal, have immunization records on hand and provide attendance records when asked.

One of the main reasons I didn't want to home school was the cost of materials and curriculum but thanks to the internet, museums and tons of free options you don't need to spend any money to teach your child and have them graduate from school.

When grading Jax's spelling test today I could see how tense he got when waiting for his grade. He kept saying he did bad, that he was going to fail, and he had to get an A. I was so mad. No! he doesn't. Learning isn't about the grade or the number. It's about spelling the word till you get it. Once I explained that their were no grades in my classes and that we try till we get it he was so happy.

So, Jax and I have a bunch of "unschooling" to do.

Broadhurst Learning Academy is under way

When I clicked on the Intent form and then faxed over my diploma to the State for home schooling I was thinking I would have at least 2 weeks or more before the card came for approval. You show this card to the principal as proof that your a school now. But that process was like "so yesterday" because in literally five minutes I received an e-mail saying that as of 11-18-2010 the Broadhurst Learning Academy was legally able to operate. I called to make sure and the lady explained they had the new electronic system up and running.

I was going to wait until Nov. 19th to start home schooling but we all decided that it's best to start the new change and get things a rolling.

When the bus doors opened today I was very nervous. Wondering if Jax would be crying when he got off the bus and begging me to let him stay in school but he was all smiles and so happy to not have to go back to school. Grandma and I just rolled our eyes. Grandma said "See, I told you not to worry!". In therapy and with me Jax was explained exactly what home school meant and he was never sad or unhappy. Just very happy to be on a schedule we came up with and I think he will do much better. But saying goodbye to friends and being in that moment one can change their mind.

The school is very supportive and probably some what relieved and we are excited to have Jax go back once he is up to par and I feel it's good for him to go back.

So, I am all ready for tomorrow and all set. I had no idea what I was going to name the school. Jax and I came up with some very funny names but in case he does home school up to 12th grade I needed to have a some what professional name for his diploma.

Our butterflies have been sleeping for almost a week now and we are waiting for their arrival this weekend or after. It's starting to get colder and colder so we are hoping we can send them off this weekend.

Ashton has a cold. It's going around. He is snoring right now. Very sweet and cute.

Good night.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MAMA!!!

A good friend of mine sent me this picture. Not sure where she got it from. I don't remember my Mom being so young like this. I wonder how old she was here. So gorgeous! I just CAN'T believe she is gone. The things I miss the most about her is she always had lipstick on, usually a red or bright color, she always had a pot of something cooking on the stove, she had great Faith and was always positive. I miss her hands. I love to watch her fold laundry. Watch her hands and how graceful she made folding this or that looked. I just miss her. Her being gone since 1998 is too long.