2 years ago I enrolled Gisele (my youngest of three) into Classical Conversations for pre-kindergarten.  We meet once a week in a classroom setting.  With the rest of the week memorizing Historical events, math, geography, science, language arts and art history followed by art classes for 1/2 semester and science projects for another 1/2 semester..I added vocabulary, reading, writing and math.

But even then I had enrolled Gisele into public school for kindergarten.  She got into the Magnet program which we were really excited for as my other two other children were also attending a Magnet school.  At this time I made some business decisions that would require more of my time.  Much more!!  My house would be empty of children for many hours of the day and for 5 days a week.  Sounds so scrumptious doesn't it?  Well, I still felt this tug from God that I needed to homeschool.  Not only Gisele but for Natalia as well.  Deep breath!  

I love the Classical Conversation model and what is stands for.  How education is very important and how all of it relates to God.  Classical Conversations shows students how one subject relates to the rest of them and they are all centered around God our creator, our savior.

Last school year 2013/2014 was my first "real" year of homeschooling.  I seriously felt like a failure when I compared myself to other moms who were doing way way more than I.  I didn't over educate, I didn't push them to do more, I didn't scold them because they didn't do enough.  I really just didn't know what I was capable of doing.  I just sat with them and let them learn at their own pace.  With guidance.  Don't get me wrong.  There was a curriculum and a syllabus.  And guess what, they flourished.  But it didn't seem like that throughout the year.  Because of coarse I felt I wasn't doing enough myself.  

I took my girls to get tested by a Duval County teacher.  I was a little worried with Gisele since there were some days we didn't do any work at all.  I also did only 26 weeks of schooling with her (that's 10 weeks less than public school).  And much to my surprise she scored very high.  Like 3rd grade on some subjects.  Most of all others were 2nd grade.  She's 6 and supposed to be in Kindergarten.  I do want to mention though at home we were doing 1st grade work and towards the end of the year we were already going into 2nd grade work. 

I am just really astonished.  Like why does each grade level have to be limited to a certain level of education and limited to certain subjects.  It's certainly not like that in Europe.  

Natalia as well.  The teacher couldn't believe all that Natalia has learned.  All the work she has done was much more advanced then the public school students in the same grade level.  She couldn't believe that Natalia is learning Latin.  (Couldn't believe Gisele is also), couldn't believe that Natalia can draw the world and countries by memory as well as name each country.  (working on the Capitals).  All the science and the writing techniques isn't taught to that extent.  Not until college at least.  And much more.

Needless to say, I am very proud of my daughters.  I am also proud of myself as well for doing something that I didn't think I can do.

We are now in the 2014/15 school year.  Gisele is in the 2nd Grade and Natalia in the 9th grade.  eeeekk High School!!!

I am still learning.  Still looking and trying different patterns of teaching and really trying to prioritize time.  Natalia is still playing the piano and has learned to play the Ukulele.  She will begin vocal training pending her vocal assessment.  Gisele has taken up Archery and Ballet/Tap.  She has a natural talent for both.  Gisele and I already have talked about doing a photoshoot when she gets a little older with her in a pink tutu holding her bow and arrow.  How cute is that.