I may be at work, but we're rolling on with the homeschooling

We have been lucky (I won't say that too loud) to have finally found someone who is excited to do some school work with Chloe.

I got this cool CD for $50 and it has an endless supply of ideas, lesson plans, print outs and flash cards. Her site also has tons of free stuff so I encourage you to check it out. It also has recipes and ideas for setting up a home daycare/preschool if you're so inclined.

I printed off a bunch of things thinking it would last at least a week and they did over half of it the first day plus they made Chloe flashcards, did an art project and Chloe did some painting on her new easel from Grandma.

I guess I need to get more materials ready!

Since Jacky started Chloe's behavior in the evening has already improved and it's obvious she's getting much more attention and active play and less TV time than before.

Overwhelmed by all the materials

So while we work on our family budget and get things in order for me to leave my job, I am putting together a curriculum plan for preschool. There is so much great information out there and tons of resources, but how do I begin? I need help formulating a plan for teaching Chloe and the 'others'.

I want to have at least two months worth of lessons setup so I'll have things ready to go during the initial adjustment period I know we'll all go through.

I'm feeling a little overwhelmed by it all, but luckily have some great smart friends who are already doing this. I will be gratuitously stealing their ideas. Muwahahahaha!

(by the way, this is really a cry for ideas so share some already!)

I've been authorized to quit my job

When I decided to share my plan with Stacey, I though I might meet some resistance. Well, I got quite the opposite. I was basically told I could quit my job ASAP and we'd figure it out. Ok, so my husband is a gung-ho kind of guy and this plan will require a bit more, uhm, planning. Without further ado, here's my list of things to be doing in the next few weeks. Realistically, I'd like to quit about Feburary/March but I know Stacey would like this to come sooner.

1. Put together a "Val at home" budget and review with Stacey
2. Move Stacey's overtime pay into saving account to also be used for extra money we get selling items on CL, rebates, side work, etc
3. Work on killer CL childcare ad. I figure I'll take in 1-2 toddler/preschool age kids for money and playmates for Chloe and Benjamin. I'm looking to say over 12 months in age and ideally not in diapers (but I won't hold my breath)
4. Find preschool/home school resources I can use.
   
5. Take infant/child/adult CPR class (11/19 $52)

I'm sure I'll have more to add...

My dream...

I want to home school my kids. I want to quit working and stay home with them. The more preschool I do with Chloe, the more I want to do. I think I could do it. I think I would excel at it. I think it would make our family stronger and alleviate the stress I have over the children's education. It would also make us a more portable family unit.

The issue? Money. While Stacey is the primary breadwinner, I'm not far behind. Pair that will our comfy lifestyle and there you go. We have a mortgage and two new cars on lease.

I am hoping that our house sells (it's back on the market), we can find a nice place with reasonable rent and ditch one of the cars when the leases come up (2010 sadly). That or win the lottery. I'd take either. Of course that would mean I'd have to play and I'm too cheap for that. I have worked to cut out extra spending. We no longer have satellite TV and while we now have YMCA membership, I did ditch my gym membership and the Y would fit into my home school curriculum. I try and keep us spending reasonably, but the big three really get us.

Until that day comes, and I feel that it will, I will continue to home school Chloe and enjoy the time I do spend with my family. I used to enjoy working and while I like my job, the appeal of being home becomes greater and greater each day. I've been formulating various scenarios (aka plots) in my head.

My love affair with the library

I had to do my weekly book swap and while I was there, I stopped in the children's library to ask about home school resources. I found out a few cool things.

They have a program for homeschooling families of all ages (including Pre-K) each month. This month it will be a general session on how to use the library, behave in the library, how to treat books, etc. They'll have activities for different ages. The bonus is that this happens at the central library which is right next door to my office.

They also have book boxes. These are collections of puzzles, books, puppets, games and audio tapes based on a theme. She gave me a list of themes and I just have to call and reserve it. They are for Pre-k through 2nd grade.

They also have curriculum planning materials.

I've always been a book nerd but the more I get into the library, the move I love it. Not only is it free, but they have such great resources. I don't think it's advertised enough.

Anyway, there's my post on being a library nerd. If you haven't checked yours out (sorry for the pun), you should and don't shy away from asking about available programs. Our library also has movie nights and other family friendly events. Most of them are free as well.

They also have toys. Big toys, little toys, puzzles, puppets... I just checked out a bowling set and a parachute!