Homeschooling!

I have decided to homeschool Dakota. There were recent events which led m to this decision, which I will go into detail about another day. Right now investigation is pending on his school so I will not disclose details.

We had the option to put back in public school ( not going to happen) or into another private school ( because that worked oh so well) or homeschool.  I decided after MUCH thought that I would try. I mean I know it will be hard and I know that he and I will get frustrated. But who is better fit to teach him and love him then .... well, ME!

So we transformed our living room into half homeschool room half living room.... photos pending, its a work in progress!

This is a new exciting journey for us! I am nervous, but I know I can do it!! Dakota and Eli love the new set up! They have already colored and painted and done puzzles at their table! I am happy they accepted t so easily!!

Look forward to more posts on how the heck this is working for us!!

Pumpkin Patch Field Trip

Two of the classes in Dakota's school went on a field trip to a local pumpkin patch.
They learned about how pumpkins grow, and where they come from.
They did some fun songs and even got to measure pumpkins with a tape measure, which was Dakotas favorite part!
They also did a scavenger hunt/iSpy game with all their awesome decorations.
And last but not least Dakota picked out 3 pumpkins, one for him self and one for his sister and brother.
As we were leaving, we got handed a coloring book, a recipe book and some seeds to plant.
I intend to plant the seeds with the kids as a lesson. I am not sure if they will grow, but it will be fun, nonetheless...

Here are some photos from our day!

First Day of School

WOO HOO! First day of school! Yeah Baby!

Well not really. As excited as I was, I love being with my kids so the first day is always bittersweet for me. Dakota started Kindergarten! Skylar started 5th grade. They are in two different schools, which makes it interesting for picking up and dropping off. Dakota is gonna be late no matter what I do. ::sigh::

So the first day I always take the kids myself. Usually Sky rides the bus. We ran Sky to her class first seeing as she is the closest. She was wicked excited to go back this year. She loves her teacher, and I have a hankering for her too! So she happily made her way into the class found her seat and was over me taking pictures. Ah yes, this is the year that she becomes embarassed of her dear ol mom. ::sigh:: So i gave her mucho kisses - Hey if I am gonna embarass her - I am gonna EMBARASS her! Off to bring Kota man to his first day..

Of course we were late. But hey, so what! I dropped him off and his class was on the way to PE already, so no pics, no kiss, out the door he happily went with his teachers. Okay. Hold it together. BOOOO HOOOOOOO. This momentous occasion cut short cuz we were late. Better luck tomorrow I guess. Sniffle sniffle.

So begins my day child free. I did nothing. i watched the clock til it was time to get them. I am pathetic. I know it will get easier. ::sigh:: What has my life come to?

Fast forward to picking the kids up. I have to run and pick up Kota as fast as possible, because Skys bus comes early and SOMEONE has to be home to get her off the bus! SO I rush to go get Dakota, wait in the car circle line in 95 degree heat with no air. This is gonna be fun. I see him, OMGosh I see him, A big smile on my face. I cant wait to snuggles him! He sees me, MOOOOMMMM he shouts, I wave, impatiently waiting my turn to get him. MOOOOOMMMMM.... Yes baby, just wait one minute. MOMMMMMMM. Awwwwwwww. Yes I get out and run and grab him. I am pathetic! He hugs me so tight, and it makes all my patheticness worth it. He says, HIII MOOOMMMMMM. Hi baby, mommy missed you! BYYYEEE BYEEESSSS. Yes baby, we are going buh byes. Big grin. I love my little man.

Driving home to rush and make it there for Sky to be there. Perfect timing. Had about 10 minutes to get situated before she made it home. I decide I am gonna let her be a big girl and get off the bus herself. The bus pulls up. Dakota runs to the window and says DEEE DEEEEE. Which is what he calls her. So we watch waiting for her to come off the bus all excited. The bus pulls away, no Skylar. PANIC. OMGosh where is my child. I freak out and call the school. I have them looking and calling for her. Here comes bus second time around, I RUNNNNNN out there to get her. She was so upset. The driver was rude. I guess she asked who lived here to raise thier hand. Well Skylar is not one to be outgoing enough to raise her hand and wave it all around. She raised her hand but not enough for the driver to see. Poor thing. What a heck of a first day! My daughter had a panic attack, well not really. I think I was more upset then her. Whew, first day done and over. Now to open the backpacks and fill out all the piles of paperwork. Writers cramp!

So that was our first day! What a fun year this will be! ;)

So, Its true...

Ahhh Friday! How I love thee...

Yesterday was our appointment with Developmental Pediatrician Dr. Henry Shapiro, All Children's.
We went for our final diagnosis of Skylar. And her diagnosis is:

Aspergers ( a mild form of autism) and Semantic Pragmatic Disorder.

The silence filled the room, the imaginary fist punched me in the gut. I was breathless and in a cold sweat. but why? I knew that's what it was, Why was it still such a surprise? I guess somewhere deep down inside, I was hoping I was just overreacting maybe? I thought maybe, there might be nothing wrong with her, and she really was just a brat? I dunno, what was in the back of my mind, I just know I wanted to cry. Even though I was prepared for the answer.
But I remained stoic, so she wouldn't think I was afraid or upset. Her IQ scores were pretty amazing, as I figured. The doctor told me she needs to be in an ASD class ( Autism Spectrum Disorders). Which is what I have been trying to get. But now with a diagnosis, I have more power. Like this little blue piece of paper is my army. With this, no one can stop me...

Well, now that I have slept on it, I am back to reality. My children are perfectly imperfect. What do I do now? I continue advocating for them, and be the best mom I can be. So that they can have the best life that I can give them. Because society with be rough on them both, and so will the real world. I will do my best to prepare them for the ugliness. So onward I trudge, creating a path for them to follow. I am a Godly mother and they will always be safe in His arms! Thank you Jesus!

P.S.
Dakotas teacher got fired. I shouldn't be gloating about this, but I am sadly ecstatic. She shouldn't have been teaching those children. She belongs somewhere else. So now, I am going to be sending Dakota back to school full time ( at least for the rest of the school year), cuz his new teacher ( who has been at that school for years, teaching the 2nd Grade kids) rocks! This is what advocating for your kids is all about. Making a difference!