Homeschooling Blog November 5,2018

November 5,2018

10:56pm

All is quiet in the house except the keyboard strikes that I make.

I want to share some updates about our homeschooling journey so far. My first born Marina is soon to finish her 8^th grade with 3 more Saxon Math tests and I just have to finish  grading her final English 8 research paper.

Initially, I was encouraging her to write about Young Entrepreneurs. Then, I was really strongly suggesting to her to research about the latest Canadian Law on Cannabis. She countered with  the negative. She preferred to tackle homeschooling. I was like, What?

Anyway, she had the last say, and she is now working on the bibliography of her topic: Saint Catherine Laboure.

She was happy to announce to her sibling that I gave her a tentative 90%  with a promise of increasing the grade if she is fully done.

My youngest, Marcelina , will finish her 2^nd grade hopefully by January 2019. She just got a reward from her dad for being able to tell the time correctly after like several weeks of challenge.

I intend to focus on her multiplication table mastery so she can tackle division.

She has to improve on her penmanship and paragraph writings. She was happy to make revisions on her work today with different kinds of sentence. She was full of gusto to work with exclamation sentences.

I was propelled to write again my 3 different blogs, bible reflections, fit and fab journey to 50 and homeschooling after reading my favorite blogger Joy Mendoza of Teach with Joy. I just learned she is pregnant with her 6^th child.

She is writing more with raw and brutal honesty regarding handling conflicts with her husband and handling children bickering and rivalry and being tired and stressed and feeling inadequate.

Each and every time I read her blogs, I get so empowered and inspired to continue my kindred journey with much faith, hope and love in my heart to do the things I do while remembering the whys.

I continue to pray for her, her safe and healthy pregnancy and delivery, her children, her husband, family and friends and advocacies. May our good Lord continue to bless her abundantly and powerfully.

THANKSGIVING

Noble November 7,2011
12:20 am

It has been a good day.
Prayers had been answered.
Good neighbors came to the rescue.
First day tutoring a 4 year old girl in English. She is so eager and excited to learn. Her first teacher was my 8 year old. Who by the way, also wants to be a teacher someday. Thanks to my inspiration perhaps.
Marina just came back from a one week sleepover in her grandpa’s place with her cousin Stef. They bonded so much that they did not like to separate after 3 days. So, Marina went to sleepover in their place in Paranaque.
I missed her so much.
Her dad was overly anxious to have her back asap.
I felt it was time to loosen the kite strings a bit.
Hoping that she will be alright this time.
The last time I did...it was not a pleasant experience for me.
By God’s grace we have her back safe and sound.
She also declared she is too tired to go back to her regular school experience. You see, I made arrangements for her to be on a one month visiting student status in a nearby school. I agreed with the condition that she will go back on the 14th to complete 1 month. Her teacher and classmates are asking her to continue till December so she can be part of the Christmas Party.
We will cross the bridge when we get there.
The little one and I have bonded so much without much interruption.
But somehow, she was looking for her elder sister.
Watching her listen to the phone when I called Marina last night was something special. She became so excited and grunted 2 times.
She recognizes her sister’s voice.
Watching her see and adore her sister when she came home today was another special treat. I thank God for being able to give this 2 girls a special experience called SISTERHOOD.
They have very wonderful eyes for each other.
I know the experience Marina had with her cousin Stef will be treasured for a long time. Reading her cousins letter to her tugged at my heartstrings.
Let me cap the night with some reflections on Kerygma bible readings.
Servanthood.
Chastisement.
End time.
As we are about to end another year...I want to focus on thanksgiving.
I will end each blog with praises and cheer for gifts and graces received during the day.
1. Taking a long and restful nap with my 2 beautiful girls.
2. Watching my girls lovingly look at each other.
3. Good food on our table.
4. Roof over our heads.
5. Income of my husband
6. Strength and energy to tutor a 4 year old
7. Good neighbours who saved me from worries and anxieties
8. Nice neighbours with genuine hellos upon meeting along the road
9. Joy of having my baby sleep in my arms
10. Hugs and kisses from my girls and hearing Marina say I miss you mom.

Opulent October 20,2011

Today, I have been a witness again to how sociable and gregarious my first born is. By the way, the younger one is showing similar signs as well.
They both bask in social situations.
They both love to talk.
Marina has new playmates.
They have been practicing the Hawaiian dance we presented in last years UN DAY celebration with CFA.
This year, she is a guest student in the nearby school from Oct. 10- Nov.10.
The teachers are asking that it be extended till December so she can be part of the Christmas festivities.
I am most likely to oblige.
My neighbor asked me if Marina will go to regular/traditional school next year. I am hoping not yet. Maybe when she gets into high school. Besides, I do not like her credentials to come from several schools.
I just need the extra hand now with the new baby taking much of my time and energy.
I am still dead set on providing her with homeschooling.
Anyway, I was so amused to find out that her Rafia grass skirt is quite short now. It is like 3 inches above her ankles..when last year, you could barely glimpse her ankles.
My goodness, she shooting up so much.
She has outgrown most of her clothes now.
Getting ready to keep them for her baby sis.
Thus, today, I am so spent and yet so satisfied, that I have provided Marina with what she requires, enough social interaction and play time.
Seeing her happy makes me so content.
And as for the little one...she lavishes me with so much love and smiles...my heart overflows with joy.
Thank you Lord for the gift of their presence in my life.
I cannot imagine a different lifestyle altogether without them.

Opulent October 16,2011

Oh wow!
I cannot seem to find a positive adjective for this month starting with the letter O.
Hmmm....
Spending time with my hubby on YAHOO MESSENGER.
Little LILLI just turned over her tummy.
She is trying to catch my attention while I pretend I do not notice her.
She is trying to make several sounds. Keeps looking at me. One more look...my heart will surely melt...and will leave this for a while.
Hmmm...
She has rested her head temporarily.
Ok...so...what shall be my theme for October?
Octoberfest 2011??
Sounds like beer festival.
Hmmm...
maybe nah...never enjoyed beer and never will perhaps.
Opulent?
Hmmm...not in the same vicinity.
Not at all...
Would I want to be opulent?
Hmmm...
Lemme think more about that.
So...
It is almost half of the month and I have been so lacking in PEACE, HARMONY AND JOY.
Why?
Maybe I have allowed myself to be overwhelmed with the things I need to do. Forgetting the most basic...and that is myself. To rest when the baby sleeps. To do the first priorities and that is my two girls.
Unfortunately, these days, my first born has been acting up.
She has demanded a lot of time and attention.
Maybe perhaps, I have been too remiss in this aspect. Oh yes, we have our 2 hour homeschooling...but, we need to laugh more...I need to comb her hair more...it calms her.
She at times, brings the comb to me when I forget.
Now, I really know how siblings can start to have animosity for one another...If the parent is not careful enough to provide the one on one time each child requires.
But, what to do, when the energy department is closed for replenishment.
Hmmm...
I believe, I claim, my writing will lead me to my center once again.
I just need to keep at it.
Never to park my pen.
Or, should I say, click on my keyboards more.
I just checked the thesaurus.
I initially had a negative impression of the word opulent...since it may mean excesses...extravagance...or lavishness...
But, it can also mean, abundance, richness, fullness, prosperous, exhuberance...plentiful.
So, yes, I want my October Opulent...and so it shall be.
Not, pretentious...just positive reinforcement.
Not imaginary...envisioning.
And this it shall be.