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).