Excelsior Academy

Sunday, August 26, 2007

Summer's ending....

Wow! Summer is over and its time to hit the books. Well, not necessarily hit them but its time to crack them open. For some, they have already started or haven't stopped. ;D Around here, we will begin the day after Labor day. I decided to change things abit this year and we will mimic the public school schedule a little bit since our school year begins with work at our state fair. We will be spending lots of time there and so school needs to start differently. I plan to ease us into our studies to allow us time to really enjoy both. I don't want us to burn out and then nothing gets done. That would be too much after working so hard to get us back on track. This week is my first week back to school ~ lots of planning, scheduling and organizing. I am hoping to get the schedules done today, at least my own so that I can be more organized. I find that if I'm organized and confident than the rest falls into place no matter what. I'm planning out my entire quarter like I did when I taught computer classes. This way, I am able to tweak the plans and fill in the gaps as needed instead of being ready for a few days or a couple weeks then nothing.... which we all knows leads to nothing getting done after such a great start. I'm creating lesson planning times for myself, schedule quarterly planning too so that I can have the next ones ready. I'm enjoying the planning process and I look forward to moving into the learning process.

Changes will be made this year too. I will be separating them this year. They will both work on the same AO/HEO year but we will only do the electives together and projects. This means they will each have the same courses but at different times of the day. I've decided to do more of a tutor/class style this year. I was reading the new TOS and got some ideas on de-stressing and I'm finding that we work well together on certain subjects but not all. Yes, this will mean that I will have to do lessons 2x but they are worth it and my peace of mind is too. As I think more about this, I am more at peace and confident that this will work well for them. They are 13 mos apart and quite different in a lot of ways but academically have always been about the same. However, I will create the difference needed for each to see what they strengths and weaknesses are without the pressure to compete. Now there are times when I will need to have that pressure and its healthy but my nervous system doesn't need that kind of stimulation daily. LOL

Today, I will continue to rest and read. I'm also getting ready for our Volume 1 Study at CMSeries, our book study at CMasonStudy and helping with our local CM support group. I'm looking forward to the stimulation that comes from sharing, pondering and listening to others discuss something you are passionate about. It should help me stay focused and connected to others as we move along this wonderful learning journey. I admit I had gotten a little discouraged and was wondering why I was doing this. After the CM conference, I regained my focus and took much needed time off. We never did get to our summer studies but you know what, its ok and they are so much happier for it. I believe they just needed to hang out with me. It will all work out for our good and thats that.

You all have a wonderful sunday afternoon.

til next time ~ in the life & times of the Excelsior Warriors!!

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posted by Dawn ;) at 3:10 PM 0 comments

Wednesday, August 15, 2007

Who knew....

I sure didn't ~ I have been out of high school for over 20yrs ~ all the paperwork and blah, blah, blah you must provide to go to college. Well, at least its for a good cause ~ my dc. ;D They are worth all the paperwork, hoops and blah, blah, blah I must do to get them in.

I've spent a good portion of my day w/Riley applying for culinary schools and requesting info. I will work on Da Boy's stuff tomorrow. We need to get ready with some prep tests and such but one thing at a time. I will be re-evaluating our current school plans to include all these wonderful additions. They must take the ACT here in OK but I will have them take the SAT too and Riley will have to take a few AP courses/tests for one of selected schools. I believe that they will do marvelous wherever they go and I will do my part to get them there.

I will update on our progress more now that school will begin soon. We thought it best to get some basics lined up and then after the fair we will have full course load. I'm excited because they are really wanting to do this. Sk8Chick got a full-time job and is planning to go to school now with the help of her employer. I will be helping her get her paperwork done too and that will be fun. Well, off to listen to a book on cd and sip some lovely tea.

til next time ~ in the life & times of the Excelsior Warriors!!

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posted by Dawn ;) at 6:55 PM 0 comments

Wednesday, August 1, 2007

Plans of Mice & Men

As you can tell we have not done summer school. Oh well, life happened and I am not concerned. We will resume in a few weeks but then the fair will begin so I’m prayerfully concerning our next steps. I’m not concerned anymore because I’ve been thinking about this for a bit and realized that I was stressing myself out. This will not help us in anyway so I’ve let go and will let God help put the pieces together. I was reading a friend’s blog this week and she was talking about the same thing. I took away a lot from her posts and realize that I too will need to trust the Lord for His guidance and direction especially since He called me to this vocation. He knows better than I what will need to be done and when.

I hope you all are enjoying your summer. I’ll be back soon.

til next time ~ in the life & times of the Excelsior Warriors!!

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posted by Dawn ;) at 11:32 PM 0 comments