I know... I know..

No need to tell me. I know it's been almost 2 months since my last post. What can I say? Life has been busy. At the end of the day, after everything is done, I'm just to tired to sit in front of the computer. All I want to do is "veg". Since the end of the year is upon us and the beginning of a new one will soon start. I will try to make a "resolution" and will try to post more often. In the meantime I wish you all a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!!!!

Kayzley has arrived!!!!!!!!!!!

Kayzley arrived earlier today. The kids are very excited. She will be with us for 1 week. I will keep you up to date on her stay with us. For the time being, if you want to know more about Kayzley just click here.

An other change....

Well, 1st grade can be very boring for a kid who reads at the 4th grade level. When we decided to send Corey to school, we had decided to give it 1 month. Well school was short lived. As of this week Corey is back home. He was totally bored. Jeff was hoping that school would make Corey interact with kids his own age. This did not happen. In his class he played with Grace (he has know her forever). The rest of the time he preferred playing with 3rd & 4th graders. On the intellectual side he had more in common with them.

Friday was his last day. We started school here again today. It went great. Corey can't stop saying how good it is to be home.

Proud Mommy

As a parent we always worry about the decisions our kids will make when we are not there watching.

On Wednesday at school Corey made a good decision, so allow me to boast a little. Corey is in the same class as Grace (the daughter of very good friends of ours). During recess some girls were teasing Grace and telling her that she was not their friend anymore and would not play with her anymore. Corey saw what was happening. He went to see Grace and told her that he was her friend and would play with her everyday.

I'm not trying to say that Jeff and I are perfect parents - trust me we're not. But it is nice to know that our son is willing to make good choices even when we are not looking.

What a week!

It's been a very interesting week to say the least. We started school on Monday. The 1st day was great. And then the rest of the week... The same issues with Corey started to come back. Jeff and I had been talking about this for months now. We decided to send Corey to school.

When Corey was placed with us he was 9 months old. The adoption was final only 18 months later. During that time he had supervised visits with his birth mom. He didn't react well to this visits. He would end up with nightmares, major insecurity and more. We were told by DSS and by a child psychologist that one of us should be with him all the time. The problem is that it became so much a part of our routine that once the adoption was final & the visits stop we didn't change our routine. The result: we sheltered Corey too much. He is now at a point were is afraid of everything. He needs to know that it's ok to be "out there". He also has to learn to be more independent.

So he is starting school on Monday. We have enrolled him in a private school here in Adams. It's a good school. It has small classes and it doesn't teach to the test (because it doesn't do standardized tests).

Is this going to be permanent? What are we going to do when Samuel reaches school age? I don't know, we'll see...

Summer

Ok, ok, I know I haven't been online much lately. What can I say, it's been busy around here (what else is new!). We have been going non stop all summer. A part of me is very happy that summer is almost over & school will be starting soon. I have plan school up to Thanksgiving. The only things I have to do is the photocopies & prep work of that nature. This stuff will be done on a weekly basis.

Our 1st "official" day of school is Monday September 8th. We will be away labor day week. It's our not going back to school vacation. We will be visiting Jeff's mom. Jeff has a conference in the area. The kids and I will be hanging around with gramma. We will take the kids to some attractions around where she lives. It should be fun.

Like I said our summer has been very busy. We've had a wedding, a few birthday parties, an adoption party, a family reunion and a multitude of get together with friends. It's been a very good summer, but now we are exhausted! With school starting soon, things will calm down (I hope so!!!!).

Corey will be 6 years old on Friday. I can hardly believe it. He is growing up so fast. He's getting so independent. He's a great kid. He is getting very exited for school. He will "help" me to teach Samuel. He will be "in charge" of reading to Samuel. He is taking his job very seriously.

Well, I have to go. I hope everybody will have a great end of summer and that the return to "reality" is not too difficult.

See you in September!

Planning...and more planning

I can't believe August is almost here already. The summer just went so fast. We are on a break for school at the moment. Actually the kids are on break not me. I'm planning our upcoming school year. Right now I'm at the point where I just want to go AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! It just seems like it's never going to end. Of course all of this is bringing up questions like: is this the right curriculum? Am I doing enough? Or to much? I know if I was using a single & complete curriculum things would probably be easier. But I'm "eclectic" to say the least. This year we will be using:

• learning language arts through literature
• Story of the world
• Horizon
• Lifepac
• Learning to draw
• a music appreciation unit from HOAC
• a French curriculum from the Quebec Education Department
• Learning science through critical thinking
• Galloping the globe (for geography only)
• Explore the code (for Samuel)

Am I the only one that feels a little overwhelmed by all of this?

taking the oath

Well it's official, I am a U.S. citizen. 365 new citizens were taking part in the ceremony. It was impressive to see so many people taking the oath at the same time. We had been told that the entire process would take about 3 hours. The ceremony itself only lasted about 45 minutes, the rest was a lot of waiting.

So the ceremony.... It was like a court proceeding and was lead by a judge. The ceremony started with the national anthem and the pledge of allegiance. After that the director of the Boston immigration office asked the judge to grant all 365 petitions for citizenship. The judge did. He made a little speech about the right to vote and being part of a jury. He called it the 2 most important responsibilities of a citizen. After that we had a special speaker: Governor Patrick. His speech was very nice. He mostly talked about the ideals that bring all Americans together. The ceremony closed with singing God Bless America.

It was very multi-cultural and very patriotic at the same time. But something happen during the ceremony that I didn't expect. From the start I was considering becoming a citizen as just a formality - the last "step" in the commitment I made 7 1/2 years ago when I moved here. So I didn't think I would get emotional during the ceremony, but I did. When the judge granted all the petitions and a the ground exploded in cheers, I got chocked up a little. At the end, when everybody was singing God Bless America, I couldn't stop the tears.

So now when people ask me if I feel different, I have to say a little. The commitment I made 7 1/2 years ago is now complete.

slowing down

Wow! It's a miracle! Things have been slowing down around here. I will admit that it's very nice. Since we came back from Boston, we have been taken it easy. We had a birthday party to go to on Saturday (June 28th). It was a surprise birthday party for my friend Julie. We had so much fun. We were there all day. The kids had a blast. As for the adults, we just sat around and had good conversations. It was low key and totally stress free. The way it should be when you get together with friends!

As for school, we are also taking it easy. For the summer Corey has to do 1 thing/day (yes Amy I stole your idea). The rest of the day is just fun (playing, swimming, doing crafts...). The kids are so much better. I think the behavior problems that were around had a lot to do with our crazy schedule.

We are having some friends over for the 4th, but this will be low key as well. The next big thing on our schedule is next week. On Wednesday we are going to my MIL. On Thursday (July 10th), we all are going into Boston for my oath ceremony. I will officially be a U.S. citizen. I will admit that I'm getting very excited about it. It is a little strange. I grew up in a place where the image of the U.S. in the medias is very bias. As far as most people in Quebec is concerned the U.S. is the big bad wolf. I didn't realize how bias all of it was until I moved here. I now understand why Americans are so proud of their country. And yes, I'm proud to become a citizen! (my grandmother is spinning in her grave at the moment).

Done!...........

..........Well almost. I went to Boston yesterday for my citizenship. I got it. But it not official until I take the oath. The oath ceremony will be on July 10th on Boston.

The process yesterday was quick and easy. I got there and waited about 10 minutes. I was call for the test part of the interview. I was asked 5 questions, had to read 1 sentence in English and write 1. All of this took 5 minutes. After that I had to go to a different waiting room to wait for the interview. We waited 2 hours. But I finally got called, when in and the interview last less than 5 minutes. I was told at that point that I was approved and given the info for the oath ceremony.

The painful part came after. Getting out of Boston was a challenge. Yesterday was the victory parade for the Celtics. So when we came out of the building we were surrounded by drunk and very loud fans. Thank goodness more trains going out of the city were added. So we only had to wait about 30 minutes to get on a train.

I think my MIL had the longest day. She watched the boys while Jeff and I were in Boston. Well let's just say that Samuel was "being Samuel" ;-)

So on July 10th we will all go to the ceremony (Jeff, the kids and me). We also asked my MIL to come with us. We will go out to eat and make a special day out of it.

A lot of people have asked me if I feel different now. No I don't. I think it's because I made the commitment a long time ago to make my home here. It's just nice to have it recognized.

Oh and 1 more thing. Jeff oldest niece, Jessica (& her husband), are expecting their 1st baby. So I will be a great-aunt again!!!!

the end is near....I hope

Ok after next week things should slow down. This weekend is Corey's recital and father's day. Next week I have to go to Boston for my interview to become a US citizen.

My friend Marise is coming with the kids for a quick visit the week after, but that will be fun. I can't wait to see her. I miss her.

As for school, we are now in fun school mode. I got an art curriculum (I can't draw to save my life), so we are doing a lot of that. For the rest, we will be doing pocket books, lapbook, nature stuff. Everything will be low key and no really structured. Things have been so busy, we need to "chill out".

I can't believe it's almost July already! Corey will be 6 in August! Wow! 6!!!! He is becoming such a little man. I tought I would be sad, but no. I'm looking forward to this next stage - I may regret saying this later....but for now...

Samuel is Samuel (most of you know what that means). But also he has "matured" so much in the last few weeks. He has been asking to do school for so long. I got him the explore the code books (book A, B & C). He loves it. It's so amazing to look at him go.

I have been reading a great book (yes I do have 30 seconds before bed to read): Animal, Vegetable, Miracle. It has made me (& Jeff) more aware of where our food comes from. So because of that and also because of all the "food problems" that we keep hearing in the news, we have decided to try to eat more "local". Now that the farmer's market season has started, I will only get my produce needs from there. Next summer we will do a garden on the side of the house. We found out about a farm in our area where you can buy 1/4 of a cow (that's 200 lbs). It's a lot cheaper than the grocery store (about $2.50 / lb). The cows are not given any hormones or any other "stuff". We are saving and by the end of the summer we will be making the purchase. It's a small step, but it's a start.

I'm back!!!!!!!!!!

Ok we are back from the underground. I wanted to wrap up some school stuff over the last 2 weeks. Well we finished everything in 1 week (last week). This week we are taking it easy before we start the fun school stuff for the summer. It feels great to have been able to slow down. I realize that what we need is an happy middle between totally crazy and "going underground". I may need help to do this. Let's see in the next few weeks we have: a baptism, an adoption party, a graduation party, a birthday party, Corey's recital, my interview to become a US citizen (June 19), and on Friday (tomorrow) we are having a special family day - May 30 marks 5 years since we have Corey. A happy middle ground? Help!!!!!!!!!!

as always

I know I haven't updated this in a while. I didn't think it was possible, but things are busier than usual. So just a quick update:

1) Samuel's cast is off!!!!!!!!!!!

2)I'm going "underground" for a week or two. I need to focus on school. We need to be home. In the last few weeks school as been done on the go. It's not fair to the kids. I feel rush all the time, so my patience with the kids is suffering.

So if you don't hear from me, I'm not avoiding you. I just need to regroup. I will still be checking my emails, but if it's urgent call.

It never stops...

Like always things around here are not stopping. On Monday, we had the last travel day of the school year. We went to the center of the earth. It was "amazing". If you want to see pictures of it take a look at Alison's blog.
Tuesday morning I had a doctor appointment. Jeff took the day off, so in the afternoon we went looking around for armoires. We have decided to move our bedroom downstairs. Our bedroom will be where the office is. The office is moving upstairs. I didn't have enough space for the office downstairs. So now, we will have an office/classroom. I will finally be able to have everything in one room. This will make my life so much easier.
This morning we went to the library. Melissa and the kids were suppose to join us, but Ian hurt himself. I picked up a discovery kit about math. It look fun.
Tomorrow, we are having lunch at Marilyn's. I haven't seen her in a while. It will be fun to be able to chat.
Friday we have a field trip with the homeschool group. We are visiting a dairy farm. I think the kids will love it.
So again it's non-stop around here. But next week looks like it will be more quiet. We really need that. We need to be home and "do school". We will go to the library on Wednesday. Because of the way I do school, the library is a crucial part of it. But I think that will probably be it for outings. Well ok if the weather is nice we may go to the park on Friday.

Just a matter of time

Well we always knew that we would spend some time in the ER with Samuel. On Sunday he broke is left arm. He was running around in the backyard, he trip and fell. He now has a bright green cast on and he thinks it's really cool. When he was having his cast put on this afternoon, the doctor said he could do what ever he wants now. The cast will protect his arm. That's scary.... At the moment he is playing outside and running around like crazy with Corey. I think I should have a pool going on when do you think the next time in the ER will be? I think before he's 4. Boys!!!!!

Spring

Well spring is finally here!!!! It's about time. The kids were going nuts stuck inside and so was I. The beautiful started last week. We had a lot of "sun days". When you are homeschooling you don't have snow days. Even if there is a snow storm outside, you can still have school. So instead of taking the day off because it's snowing and cold and miserable, we took it easy because of the beautiful weather.

The backyard almost look like it's summer. The only thing missing is the pool. The kids are asking about it every 30 seconds. As far as they are concern no more snow means summer, and summer means pool. I think they have been inside for too long!

Today we went to the park with other homeschoolers. We had so much fun. I don't know who had a better time: the kids or the moms? If you want to see pictures go take a look at Alison's blog. Alison and I always knew that Samuel and Taejan will be trouble when they get older. But now I think we also have to worry about Samuel & Jadziah. They are only 3 and 4.5 and they were hiding together under the slide this afternoon. And people ask why I'm getting grey hair!!!!

1st step

Well the 1st step towards become an U.S. citizen is done. I had to be in Albany at 8 am to get my fingerprints taken. I got there and I was ready for a long wait. I had a book and 2 magazines with me - I've been at an INS office before, the wait can be very long and very boring. Well I was back in car and driving home at 8:15 am. I just hope the rest of the process will be this quick and easy....I know, I know......

the calm before the storm...

We decided on a quiet weekend. We didn't go anywhere. We just stayed home and took it easy. The kids played outside. Jeff and I read and I did some school prep. The coming weeks will be nuts. Tomorrow I have to be in Albany at 8am to get my fingerprint taken. This is the 1st step towards becoming a U.S. citizen. Tuesday I have an M.R.I. Wednesday is library day and karate for Corey. A friend is coming over on Thursday for coffee. As for Jeff, it's a meeting week. He has a meeting on Monday night, one on Tuesday night and one on Thursday night. He is at a conference on Wednesday and will be in Boston Thursday or Friday. As for the weekends coming, let see: dinner with friends, my MIL birthday, a 1st communion, an adoption party, the music & art class recital, Steven's birthday (Kevin & Bonnie's son), National Scrapbook Day (ok this one is only for me), Mother's day, a family reunion, our wedding anniversary....I'm already tired...

Vacation

Ok we are on vacation this week. Yesterday we took the kids to see the Dr. Seuss exhibit at the Springlfield Museums. It's a very small exhibit, but the kids loved it. But the real cool thing was their genealogy room. They have the records from the small town I'm from in Canada. I found the marriage information of my grandparents (on both sides). To continue with our Dr. Seuss theme, we took the kids to see Horton hears a who this afternoon. It's very cute and funny the kids had so much fun. I don't know what we will do tomorrow. Maybe we will have a lazy day at home. We need it, because next week will be "back to normal". On the schedule next week: travel day, music & art, library, karate and 2 doctors appointment. Oh! I almost forgot, we also have to do school. Yep! Things are going back to normal...whatever that means around here.

The joys of homeschooling

I love homeschooling. I love being able to change our schedule without "missing" something. I love not being attach to the school calendar. Today is a gorgeous day here. They have been so rare that I decided we had to take advantage of it.

We did "do school" this morning. Corey worked on math, vocabulary and spelling, phonics. I gave Samuel a pre-writing activity to do. My free spirited child decided that doing strait lines were too boring. I can't blame him on that. So he drew a great looking car and ladybug on the sheet instead. I had plan to work on their Easter lapbook this afternoon and to continue reading Treasure Island to Corey.

Well the afternoon schedule got change to playing outside. The snow has melted enough (it's about time!!!!!!!!) that the kids can actually play outside with being buried alive.

An other joy of homeschooling is that you take a "vacation" when you want. So next week no school for the Kennedy's. Jeff is taking the week off. We will be doing some day trips. We are thinking of taking the kids to the Dr. Seuss' museum in Springfield. We may also go to my MIL for a couple of days and maybe take the kids to the aquarium in Boston.

I really love homeschooling!!!!!!!!!!!

The last few days

Ok I know I haven't updated in a while. Things have been totally nuts around here. This weekend we went to visit Jeff's mom. It has been 1 year since my FIL passed away. She wanted everybody around her this weekend. It ended up being a great weekend. It wasn't sad as Jeff and I were thinking it would be. It was good to see everybody. On Sunday we all went to church and then to lunch. The kids got a bad cold, so that part was not fun and still isn't. On top of it Corey broke a toe yesterday. The kids were playing in the guess room at my MIL. They were told many times not to play with the exercise stuff that was in the closet. Did they listen??? Of course not and Corey dropped a 2 lbs weight on his foot. So karate is off for this week.

Because the kids are sick, we don't have school today. For a while now I've been thinking of a way to re-organize my house in other to have my dinning room back. At this time it looks more like a school room. So my project today is to try to organize the play so we can do school there. I'll let you know hos things turn out.

Happy Birthday!!!

Samuel is 3!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The last 3 years have been going so fast. The birthday boy had a great day. Friends from our homeschool group came by for lunch. Samuel had so much fun that he actually took a nap: a real one. No clothes came of and no poop came out. He actually went to sleep on the sofa in the living room. He slept for 1 1/2 hour. I guess he wanted to give mommy a present.

Here he goes again....

Well guess what Samuel did today. I put him down for a nap. I was certain he was going to sleep. He got up early this morning and we spend most of the morning playing outside. Well he didn't. He sang for 45 minutes while in bed. When I got upstair, he was totally naked. His pull-up full of poop was in the middle of his bed and he was sitting in the middle of Corey's bed.

Not a baby anymore

Ok it's official I do not have babies anymore. Samuel will be 3 years old on Thursday. This morning Corey lost his 1st tooth. He is very happy about this and can't wait until tomorrow morning to see what the tooth fairy brings him.

It's funny, I always imagine that I would be sad about not having babies anymore. It's not the case. Jeff and I were talking about this the other day. We like the stage we are getting into. The kids are getting more independent. It's now getting easier to do things and go places with them.

Oh and before I forget, the craziness that was suppose to happen a few weeks ago is now here!!!!!!!!!!!!! So please don't be offended, if I'm a stranger for the next few weeks.

Reday for spring!

Ok I'v had enough of winter. I'm ready for spring. The kids are ready as well. I don't know why, but we haven't outside much this winter. I'm getting cabin fever. It doesn't help that at the library this morning they have a big display about Easter and spring.

Since spring means a new beginning. I have taken the leap. I have started the paperwork to become a citizen. They say it takes 6-9 months. So I figure about a year.

Better late...

Ok I just figured it out. What can I say I can be alittle dense sometime. You all know I have had problem with Corey's attitude regarding school from time to time. Corey is a smart kid. I realized that he gets bored by doing the same thing to many times. So I just have to be creative and find new ways to teach him. Easy right? NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! My imagination can run dry sometimes. So if you have any suggestions (specialy for vocabulary & spelling), PLEASE share.

Not so nuts

Ok the madness is not as bad as previously mentioned. Some changes occurred in the schedule. The science club has been postponed and will start in March (Alison you really have to stop breaking your ribs). We have decided not to do the swimming class after all. Corey is now enroll in a karate class. He tried it last week and loved it, so his first official class is on Monday. We still have all the homeschool group regular activities, Samuel's birthday and all the dentist appointments. Ok things are still a little crazy, but not much more than usual.

Having a lighter schedule is good. I have made some changes in our school schedule. School is a lot more relax these days. Corey has a good attitude. I even started some stuff with Samuel and he loves it. I'm only doing lapbooks with him at the moment.

MIA

Ok for the next 8 weeks I will be MIA. If I don't answer your emails as quickly as usual the reason is lack of time. For the next 8 weeks life in this household will be nuts. Corey is starting a science club once a week for 8 weeks. Corey & Samuel are starting a swimming class twice a week for 6 weeks. Add to that the regular homeschool group activities (travel day, music & art, book club). Of course the house chores need to be done. Corey has a dentist appointment and so do I. Samuel is turning 3, so there is his birthday. I have to make a dentist appointment for him as well. I almost forgot, I have to find time in all of this for school. Can somebody tell me when the home part of homescooling starts?

Funk

Ok I don't know what is going on with me, but I seem to be in a funk where school is concern. I'm totally disorganize and lack motivation to do anything. I'm usually very organize, some may even say a little OCD. Could this a winter related funk?

Addiction

Ok I have a new addiction. All of you know that I have been addicted to scrapbooking. Well! You can add lapbooking to the list. It's a great way for the kids to learn. Corey and Samuel love it. Since we started doing lapbooks, Corey's attitude has been nothing but positive. Anyway if you want to try lapbooking, I very highly recommend that you take a look at Hands of Child. Their product is AMAZING!!! They are having a huge sale today (45% off). Just go on the site and create an account. At check out use the code: 2ndchance.

Motivation

Ok I'm having a motivation issue when it comes to school at the moment. Do you think it has anything to do with the fact that I'm going scrapbooking this weekend?

So it seems that I'm doing a lot of "unschooling" this week. We went to the story time at the library this morning. Did I ever mention that I LOVE the children librarian at the North Adams Library. She is AMAZING. She is a big supporter of homeschooling. She always has a lot of great recommendations. After story time, we stayed and played for a while. This afternoon (no nap) we did crafts and played I Spy. Does it count as school???

snow day!

I decided to follow the public schools schedule today...we had a snow day. We played outside and had great time. I didn't remember how much fun playing in the snow was. We made a snowman and had a snowball fight. Samuel was the winner :-) Speaking of Samuel (if you were wondering), he took a nap this afternoon. And....nothing came off!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank goodness for small victories:-)

Samuel

Well if you were wondering what Samuel did today. It wasn't bad. He didn't take nap. When I went to get him, he had totally stripped his bed and everything was on the floor. At least no bodily functions were involve this time and I have no extra laundry to do. Let's be thankful for the little things. He doesn't want to nap anymore, but I need him to :-)

Sanuel Strikes Again!!

Well Samuel did take a nap this afternoon...But....when I went to get him when he woke up, he was totally naked in his bed. And of course....he had gone pee-pee all over his bed while he was sleeping. More laundry.....

I don't want to know what he will do tomorrow!!!!

Wow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What a difference just few days can make. We were freezing a few days ago and now it's 60 degrees. We spend the morning outside and took a long walk. I was hoping it would tired out Samuel and he would take a nap. Well, that didn't work. He actually pooped in his diaper while he was in bed. After that he took off his diaper himself and put it on the floor, but he left the poop on the bed. I guess I should do laundry now.....

Brrrr!

Ok we are not studying snow outside today. It's below zero here with the wind factor. The kids wanted to go outside and play, but it's way to cold. So I guess they decided that if they couldn't do what they want, they would not do what I want either. So you can imagine how school went today. Corey had some vocabulary, spelling & math to do this morning. It should not have then more than 1 hour to do everything. Well he just finished and it's 3pm!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! When we decided to homeschool I was told of days like this. Anyone out there would like to add 2 kids to their classroom??? Ok I know it will be better tomorrow (I hope), so this is just venting.

Happy New Year!

Wow it's already 2008. 2007 went by so fast!!! We are trying to start our regular routine today. Jeff went back to work this morning and his mom just left. I'm all ready to start school again. Corey doesn't seem to feel the same way. The next few days will be hard. It's always like this when Jeff goes back to work after vacation. Add to this that gramma was here for a few days and now she went back home. I'm in for a fight!!!!!!!!!!!

We are starting the year with a unit study on Ancient China and a short science unit on snow. Studying snow should not be a problem, we are buried here!

Anyway, happy New Year everybody!