Here We Go Again!

It's been awhile since we homeschooled. Alayna and Afton have grown and are out of the house now. We pulled them from the public school system as they were entered their 7th & 5th grade years, respectively. Our homeschool, Sisney H.O.U.S.E., began it's journey after 7 months of research into homeschooling and a final decision that it was the best path to take. We do not regret homeschooling them. Our H.O.U.S.E., an acronym for Home Oriented Unique Schooling Experience, set off and with a month's break between each grade level (along with time off for Spring Break, Christmas, & 4-H Shows, etc.) was in session year-round. Both girls graduated from high school at age 16 and began classes at the local junior college. Both scored well, in fact above-average, on their college entrance exams. So we figure that although, we did make mistakes along the way (you learn from them and move on using a different approach/technique) but judging by the successful of the girls' entering college, we are assuming we must have done a pretty good job of homeschooling. Afton graduated from Sisney H.O.U.S.E. on August 13, 2009. So it's been right at three years...

Here we go again! Our youngest daughters, Maddy & Kenna, will soon be turning 6 & 4. Maddy starts Kindergarten this year! After a lot of discussion and prayer, we decided that we would once again homeschool our children. Yes, we're a little out of practice. But we also remember well the lessons we learned about what did and did not work in our homeschooling. As we begin a new homeschool journey with Maddy, I'm sure we will make mistakes, learn from them, consider our options, and "get back on the horse" and follow a new path.

Maddy is excited to know that her house is going to be "school". She and Kenna have been helping this summer as we have organized and set up a "classroom" in half of the family room, a study/computer lab, and of course all the necessary play stations for "hands-on" exploring. I'm excited, too, because I truly loved the time together that homeschooling grants our family, especially Alan. With a flexible schedule, the girls get to spend so much more time with "teacher/principal Dad" as we arrange some of their lessons and activities around Alan's schedule.

Homeschooling is a journey, yes, but we look at it as an adventure full of learning, new experiences, and fun rather than a sit-at-a-desk-all-day, dreaded school time. You are more than welcome to follow along, right here on our new blog!