As many of you may know, this year I will be homeschooling my 12 yr. old daughter, Princess Der. I have thought about this quite expensively in the past and decided this was the time. I work at home, so I'm here. And, my research has convinced me this is the way to go.

I have read about 10 books that are about homeschooling. From what I understand, homeschool kids consistently do better on state tests, as well as S.A.T.'s.

Unschooled kids do even better than those who receive a "formal" homeschool education. Unschooling is when there are no textbooks, worksheets, or mom handing out any assignments. Unschooled children learn WHAT they want to learn, HOW they want to learn it. The parents just facilitate, such as taking the child to museums,zoo's, the library or other places that enhance what the child wants to learn. They are also ready to buy any supplies the child may need to do a project that they want to do. But the child directs their own learning. And somehow in the process, these kids end up smarter than everyone else! Amazing!

I am taking the middle ground. We have a few "learning things" - books, a VCR tape series on the Great Events Of The Twentieth Century, and some computer software. I do believe children should learn that certain things have to be done because "an authority" said so, and that there are deadlines for some things. After all, unless they own a business and are the boss, they will have to answer to someone.

The week started out with Princess Der beginning piano lessons. She went to a 2 day music camp a month or so ago, and decided she REALLY, REALLY wanted organ lessons. I contacted the piano & organ store where they had the camp, and got the name of a woman who teaches piano & organ. The Princess started Monday, and the teach said she was awesome! I bought her a keyboard to Wally-World and the kid has been practicing & making up songs like crazy. Maybe she'll stick with this. And, that fulfills music instruction!

Afterward, we stopped at the shoe store so she could drool over the $75.00 sneakers she wants. I can't see spending that kind of money for a name. They are cool looking- very colrful. But they are plastic-y! They look hot and uncomfortable. I also have to think about her growing feet- she's a size 10 (womans!). She could be an 11 next week! I felt like telling her to call her old man and ask him to splurge for them (the same old man who never called her on her birthday or sent a crd or present) TWERP!

Wednesday, the Princess went to a water park for the day with her church youth group. I thought I would get tons of work done- ya right! Truth to tell, my office is a wreck and I wanted to clear off few shelves for the school books & supplies. I also had a bunch of boxes that the boys took out of the spare room closet so they could put their junk in there.

Has anyone else in this big world of ours ever had 3 kids move back in all around the same time? So much for the spare bedroom! I was going to give up my office, but Ron said no to that, as the boys SHOULD be moving out soon. Ok, whatever!

So anyway, the books are set up in my office and the Princess is ready to go. I asked her today if she has any reservations about homeschooling. I know there are friends she may not see too often, and I thought she was worried about that.

She had a reservation she said. I asked what and she said she wants to see the new gym. Last year they added onto the school and the gym wasn't completetd yet. The funny thing is, she doesn't take gym at this time. The doc took her out last year because of the athritis. She never even metioned the friend's.

I know she won't miss the teacher's hollaring at her when she's a minute late for class because her hip or ankle hurts. Or them harping because a math sheet wasn't done in 15 minutes. Her hands are the most affected by the arthritis. Her fingers started to "spindle" somewhat. I told her I didn't care if she wrote stuff on paper, the computer or even her 6 foot wide chalkboard!

Today we went to visit my Oncologist. I had a tumor 3 years ago and had to have my left kidney & spleen removed. I am on participating in a study, so need to go every 6 months or so and see the doc, have bloodwork done and occasionally have a cat scan (sp?) and bone scan done. There is a 50/50 (did they not know what to say?) chance it could come back, so I'll participate in the study, thank-you! I don't mind- they are keeping a good eye on me, and it's all paid for!

Ok, the week is over and now it's time for a party- the Virtual Girls Night Out!

Click on the pic, go to Ann's site, and leave your link. Check out the other blogs & leave comments.

Ann, as usual, has a fun party game!

Use the first letter of your name to answer the questions. Your answers need to be real places, names and things. Nothing made up :-> (You cannot use your name for #3 boy/girl "name" question.)


1. What is your name: Carolee

2. A 4 Letter Word: Card

3. A Boys Name: Curt

4. A Girls Name: Candice

5. An Occupation: Carpenter

6. A Color: Copper

7. Something you wear: Cap

8. A Beverage: Coca-cola( Yuk!)

9. A Food: Corn

10. Something found in the bathroom: Conditioner

11. A place: Cancun

12. A Reason for being late: Car sucks!

13. Something you shout: Cool it!

Give-away! Give-away! Give-away! Give-away!

Since I know so many of you have kids (and if not I know you know kids!), I thought we'd have a kiddie give-away. Don't worry, it's educational- I found it looking for cool books to use to homeschool my 12 year old. I'm getting 2- one for me and one for....who?

Check it out! What better way to strain your kids brain than with brain teasers?

So, how do you enter for a chance to win this?

1. Tell me who you would give this book to in the comments section

2. Mention it in your blog- leave me a comment and link to your blog

3. Tweet about it on Twitter- let me know in the comments that you have done that

4. Follow my blog -let me know in the comments that you have done that

5. Sign up for a dental or health plan (remember, you only pay 1/2 price for a
full year!) www.DentalAndHealthNow.com

See you all later and have a great ( and prosperous) next week