Today we had a much better day than yesterday. We didn't complete everything I had hoped we would but Mari's attitude was much better and she actually completed her assignments in a timely manner.

Not sure if I mentioned that yesterday we went to check out the new ballet school the girls will be going to this year. I love Boston Ballet but it's a lot more expensive than Creative Steps and since money is really tight right now I had to go for the cheaper option.

Creative Steps has their classes at the Elliot Church not too far from where we live and there are a couple of playgrounds outside so Noah won't be too bored while the girls are in class.

I put Gabby and Genesis in same class because I'm hoping it will help Gabby with her shyness. Oh yeah, another thing I like about Creative Steps is the fact that they do a recital. They didn't do that at Boston Ballet. And they have great discounts if you want to take more than one class.

Last week I submitted paperwork to let the school system know that I planned to homeschool Mari. Now that she is six years old I am required to sign a form and write a letter every year. I also have to submit a progress report and some work samples (optional) twice a year.

The whole thing got a little confusing when I was trying to figure out what grade to say she was in. I want her to take standardized tests like other kids her age but I want her to be tested based on her age not the grade level I'm teaching because even though she reads well and her math skills are pretty good I don't think she is mature enough yet to understand questions that an older child would understand. I'm also pretty sure she has ADHD and I think she might have trouble taking tests anyway. She get distracted way too easily and she often spaces out.

It is not uncommon her Mari to take over an hour to do a simple handwriting page. I can't even count the number of time I say "focus" or "are you done yet." Some days I really want to give up. And I'm so sick of people saying she would probably do better in a classroom (full of distractions). If people don't have anything intelligent to say they should keep their stupid mouths shut. Sorry for the mini rant.

So Mari is still in 2nd Grade Math and Language Arts and 1st Grade History. We haven't started 1st Grade Science yet but I want to get through the Math and Language Arts then we can focus on History and Science. She is more than half way through Math and about half way through Language Arts so I'm guessing that by next month we will be working on History and Science then moving onto 3rd Grade. I told the public school people we would be covering 2nd Grade this year and I'm certain we will get that done.

Gabby will be five years old in four months and I've decided to start her on k12 Kindergarten Math and Language Arts as soon as she finishes the yellow Hooked on Phonics box. She is doing great so I'm pretty sure she will be a Kindergartner next month. She is really excited about that.

Gabby struggles with grammar so I try to give her a lot of help with reading comprehension. Even though she doesn't have as easy a time learning to read as Mari did, Gabby is easier to teach because she has a more compliant personality.

In addition to the regular Kindergarten curriculum I want to continue with Hooked on Phonics and also start Hooked on Math. I also need to make sure both Mari and Gabby spend at least 30 minutes every day on Rosetta Stone Spanish.