... and more hockey

I am starting to get so excited for next year!  All of my kids will be home with me and I am starting to look into curriculum and wondering how much more difficult it will be with three at home.  Is it exponential or only a minor adjustment?  I am guessing that it will be exponential ... Especially since I have been spoiled with my oldest (10 years old).  He can do a lot on his own and I realize that that probably won't be the case for my 7 and 9 year old.  Has anyone used My Fathers World?  I am looking into their curriculum and I really like that I could use it with all the kids. 

I can't wait until next year!!  I am really looking forward to the flexibility.  The boys had a playoff game last Friday at 5:00pm (2 hours away) so I had to take C and E out of school early.  We have the same situation this Friday at 4:00pm and it is even farther away.  I always feel a little guilty pulling them out of school.  I know that I shouldn't.  They are my kids, right?  But I can't help feeling like I am getting judged or looked down on for having my kids miss school.  Ah ... next year ...

As I mentioned, we are deep in playoffs for hockey right now.  Last weekend we went into the playoffs in third place and finished in first place.  The boys did so well!!  Although, they kept the games way too close for my comfort, winning both in overtime.  We now will be going to the finals next weekend where we play another team (the team rank first in the league) three times to see who will be the league champions.  I don't know if my heart can take many more nail biting games!!  At least then the season will be over ... then lacrosse starts ... then hockey tournaments start ... It never really ends does it! :-)

I am so proud of these boys!  :-)

The Science of NHL Hockey

So, if you are a hockey fan you may know that the NHL All-Star game and skills competition was this past weekend.  In our house it is bigger than the superbowl.  While watching this weekend, there was a commercial for the "Science of NHL Hockey".  They are free videos online and soon to be released lesson plans!  Imagine my excitement!!!  :-)  I immediately looked them up online and watched the first video.  They are definitely above my 5th graders head (they talk about vectors, statistics and averages, kinematics) but I figure that if he is interested in watching them .... we can make some use of them.  The lesson plans are not available yet and are supposed to be available soon.  If you are interested, check out the website  http://www.nbclearn.com/portal/site/learn/science-of-nhl-hockey

If you are not hockey fans like us, they also offer Science of NFL football, Olympic Games, Changing Planet ... just to mention a few. 

Brother congratulating brother after a goal.  Love this picture.

It's September!!!

I love September!!  It is my favorite month of the year.  It is the beginning of fall with gorgeous colors all over God's creation (especially if you live in the north).  I love my fall candles and I got them out of the cabinet yesterday.  Mulled cider ... spiced pumpkin ... aahhhh.  I love fall!!  Anyone want some apple pie or ginger bread cake?

I'm itching to get out my Halloween decorations but I am making myself wait another 2 weeks.  We always get mums, corn stalks, pumpkins, and gourds to decorate outside.  What is better than pictures in the fall?

It is also the beginning of the holiday season.  I know it is early, but in 3 months it will be Thanksgiving and then Christmas (another of my favorite times of year)! 

Our hockey season starts in the next couple of weeks.  It is hectic, but so much fun.  The ice rinks are cold and the travel is heavy, but the games are exciting and the family time is unforgettable.  I turn into a mega hockey mom in the winter.  You will find me in the ice rink with my team sweatshirt on including buttons (pins) of my favorite players.   Here are my favorite players!

B (#32)

C (#22)



What are your favorite things about fall?

When did childhood become a job?

When we were on our way back from a hockey tournament this weekend, my husband mentioned that some people take hockey (or any sport) too seriously.  It is like a job.  It got me thinking.  When did childhood become a job?  I remember being in elementary school.  It was fun.  We didn't have homework unless it was a special project (and the projects were usually interesting and fun).  We ran out the door right when we threw our backpacks down to play outside with friends.  We played on sport's teams... but they did not consume our whole life.  Are the children of today more educated than 30 years ago?  I don't think so.  Do more kids make it into professional sports than 30 years ago?  No.  Why do we put so much pressure on ourselves and our kids? 


Our kids play on a travel hockey team.  Does it take up free time?  Yes ... but we love it.  It doesn't matter what level team they play on.  They just want to play hockey (a game they love) with friends.  We don't want to move them from team to team based on which one will have the best record or highest level.  We just want them to have fun and make great childhood friends and memories. 


I am not saying that my kids don't work hard.  They work very hard at playing hockey but it is because they are passionate about it.  They love it.  That is what I pray will happen with homeschool.  It will take time but I pray that they will work hard at learning because they want to learn.  Not because it is a job and they have to do it.


By the way, the boys got second place at the tournament.  More importantly, they had a blast doing it.