preschool homeschool

I really tortured myself with the whole preschool decision. I feel like once Logan exited her toddler years and became a preschooler by definition, the topic was inavodiable. But my feelings towards it were not. I did not want to send my 3 year old off to "school" especially if I didn't have to. Right now I am home with her, all day-- what better teacher than her own mom.. I just couldn't help but think that she is still so young, and that she had the next 20+ years to spend in school. After much debate, with head and heart (and other preschool parents,) heart won. 

It seemed like the main reason for needing to send her to preschool was for the social aspect. That was where most of my fellow preschool parents justified the importance. But then I thought: We are very active in the community. We have a huge family with lots of love and support. We have weekly playdates with different friends and cousins, we frequent the park and the library. We send Logan to swim lessons in the winter, and she plays soccer in the spring. This girl is way more than social. 

And aside from all of that, it is so hard to try to find somewhere that has the same values and methods to teaching your child as you do. Most of the places where I would l o v e to send her are just not affordable to us now. 

With much research and inspiration from other mama's on the web, I decided that homeschool preschool was the best option for my child right now. 

Next year, we'll explore it again, and go from there.

I decide to take advantage of the summer off and plan out a structured curriculum schedule, this way if something arises with my career search, I have everything set up to hand over to my mom (who would be watching Lo throughout the day) and Lo's learning wouldn't be interrupted. 

The areas that we are focusing on are:

Cognitive Skills and Math

Literacy and Language Arts

Science and Natural Studies

Life Skills

and ART of course

I use this list here as both a guide and inspiration. 

I also found Pinterest to be more than useful. 

Here you can find my preschool homeschool board. 

And here is my craft board where I have pinned many things for future lessons.

Links? Crafts? Books? Experiences?

I am very into this entire process and welcome any and all ideas others have.

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  "A portrait of my child once a week, every week, in 2013." 

Logan: It sure feels like autumn this morning. As we headed out for the park, you were quick to grab your boots and sweater. Good picking, little love.  I'm finding it v e r y difficult choosing just one photo this week.

Linking up here.
Favorites form last week: her, her, and these two.

summer adventure// princeton

 

Priceton University is our favortite go-to spot when we want a getaway when we don't necessarily have the time and/or money to actually get away. We've been bringing Logan since she was a wee little baby, and now that she is old enough to appreciate it, trips are that much more exciting. See our last visit here. Lo loves running through the old campus and hiding in all the nooks. She loves the tiny archways, and castle-like structures. She also loves that we sometimes allow her to sneak a peak inside the buildings. We do too love all of that as well, however, Scott and I are definitely more partial to outside campus lunch and shopping. Since this visit in particular was on my birthday, we did a little bit of both. Aside from a dull sky and slightly warmer temps than we would have wished, we had such a good day with the kids. If it isn't obvious here, Lo goes gaga for her older cousin, Jordan, and him for her too. She loves him more than chocolate. 

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"A portrait of my child once a week, every week, in 2013."

Logan: This week we celebrated another first-- first dental exam. To say you did wonderful would be an understatement. You not only wow'd your mama completely; you had the staff at the office speechless. You really are coming into your own these past few weeks, and we couldn't be more proud of you. 

I adore this shot of you, sweet girl, in the dentist chair with your striped legs and oversized shoes. 

Keep it up baby girl!

summer: fresh picked fruit

We love fresh fruit. We love even more to pick our own. Here's why..

"One way to jump-start eating healthier and more pleasurably, while burning fewer fossil fuels: Pick your own. Buying from a local farm eliminates the carbon costs totted up in "food miles," the distance food is trucked or flown from farm to plate. Locally grown produce travels an average 56 miles from farm to institutional markets, while conventional produce travels an average 1,454 miles, or almost 27 times as far, according to a study by the Iowa State University Leopold Institute for Sustainable Agriculture. When you go to the farm, you're getting the fruit at its freshest; while it's true that you've travelled, and not the food, well...you've still supported a local farmer, which strengthens the local food system."-- Source

We also find it important to model and demonstrate healthy living for Logan. Children are sensory learners and learn best with experience. Picking your own fruit and vegtables builds a strong foundation for beginning to understand where some of our food comes from. 

Logan loves picking fruit and being able to share it with family. We pick enough to eat, enough to share, and enough to be able to make a sweet dessert. 

This time around we found a new pick-your-own spot, and we plan to have many more return visits.

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Logan--

A black-and-white babe sitting in a pizza shop. 

So pretty. 

So patient.

You already know it's worth the wait.

So smart.

"A portrait of my child, once a week, every week, in 2013."

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"A portrait of my child, once a week, every week, in 2013." 

Logan: It was Daddy's birthday morning, and in Starbucks we sat sipping coffee & planning out his day. You sure were bored-- but you were so patient and so polite. Thanks for that. And also, thanks for being the best birthday gift I could ever give to him.

Linking up with Jodi and many others here.

Favorites from last week are Ellie and Bo.