Will he be starting Kindergarten in the fall?

It's been 3 years since I have written on this blog.  Since then we have devastatingly endured 2 miscarriages, and joyfully added two beautiful blessings to our family, Tobias (2) and Naomi ( 4 months).  There have been several more fun parties that I look forward to sharing at some point including an octonauts party, farm animal party, bob the builder and the latest which was  Paxton's 5th Mario birthday party.

Now that Paxton is five we have become accustomed to the question of whether or not he will be starting Kindergarten in the fall.  We smile and reply that while he will be starting "kindergarten" we
will be homeschooling. Here are the most common comments we receive...

1) You must be so patient to be able to do that.


2 )How are you going to home-school high school?

I rarely give in depth answers to these questions when asked in passing, and so as I begin this home-school journey with intentions to invite you along for the ride via this blog I am going to briefly comment on each.

1) I always thought I was a naturally patient person.  I believed that I would never be a yeller, that I could keep my cool in almost any situation.  Through out the years I have realized that this was oh so very wrong.  I am not a patient person in and of myself.  I have yelled during my teaching and
parenting years far more than I care to admit.  I have started to pray for patience- which as a side note: if anyone tells you not to do this because then God will test it... well, I want to suggest that is superstition not spirituality. If God needs to test my patience in order to give it to me, then I will praise Him because He knows what I need far better than I.  I also believe that I have a Father who loves me, and He could very well give me just the amount of patience I need for each moment without putting me through a crazy trial in order to do so.  All this to say: No I am not a patient person.  My prayer is that God will use homeschooling to refine me into the woman he created me to be, including increasing my patience.

2) There really isn't an in depth answer required here: one year at a time people, he is only 5!

Paxton's Train Party

Paxton's train party ended up being a lot of work, but totally worth it in the end.  I won't write too much though, because I think the pictures can all speak for themselves.  Enjoy! My parent's, Patrick and I all worked together to make various aspects of this party come together. Patrick's mom brought delicious meatballs to share, and also provided the AMAZING cake she had made by a co-worker of hers.  This party was truly a team effort!

Awesome sign made by my dad.  Guests were asked to take a picture with their group behind the sign before entering. I would love to have a copy of your pic if you have one! Text me :-) 

 This was Patrick's major project of the party, with some help from my dad as well.  This is still in my parents garage because I just can't part with it. I am thinking it could make a great addition to a playroom in a future house!

 The horse was something my parents already had, and we figured why not put it out for the little ones to enjoy- and they surely enjoyed it.

 Although trains are undoubtedly Paxton's very favorite thing, he was pretty excited about this bubble station- it was quite possibly his favorite part of the party!

 It was such a joy to see all of the kids running around and truly enjoying themselves.

                                              Another shot of the entryway to the party.

               

                                             

                                         This was where we put Paxton's gifts as they arrived!

                                            Our Sweets Station before the cake arrived

                                            ...and the cake, which by the way tasted as good as it looks!

                                     Some of our best friends! Such a blessing to celebrate with them

 These were our party favors. In the bags were train whistles, bandannas and a create your own train sun-catcher kit...there were supposed to have chocolate coins as well but we realized last minute they contained peanut products, and my cousin has a peanut allergy.

 I couldn't find any great shots of our salad bar train when it was filled, but this might be the best shot I have.

 This was the salad bar train before we added all the yummy salad toppings. As you can see, we had a lot!

                                       My high school best friend Ruth came with her then fiance Kevin.  Since                                       then they have tied the knot, and she was seriously the most beautiful bride ever!