Homeschool Continued and children update

I think I am crazy.  We have chosen to homeschool for the second year.  There are so many conflicting reasons to and not to homeschool.  I am happy with the decision to continue for now.  I know that I will never get these years back when my kids are little and need me for everything, including to show them and teach them about the world they live in.  I am "sheltering" them from the ugliness of the world for as long as I can and get to show them the beauties that I choose to. 

Other things have fallen into place to allow this year to be more successful.  We have a bigger house.  I have places to put children and their things and separate them if needed.  I have put Holland in a preschool that we both LOVE and he is excited to go everyday.  It is only 3 hours in the morning but it has been the best thing I have done to relieve stress and let him be active.  Ezra is a great napper.  He sleeps the majority of the morning and is easy going the rest of the time.  Sure it gets crazy and loud but I see my kids playing together and know that they will look back on their time together at home and have fond memories. 

Merilee is excelling.  She is so naturally smart and motivated.  She wants to get her work done quickly and do well at it.  She says she hates math but it is becoming her best subject.  She is an awesome reader and doesn't need assistance.  She is so creative in writing and drawing.  She can look at a picture and do a very good job drawing it.  She is still the biggest help with chores and mothering the little ones.  She is social but struggles because she doesn't have many friends at church.  We are lacking in girls her age in our ward.  I love her so much and see her turning into a young lady before my eyes.  I hope I can guide her into her teen years and embed in her how necessary it is that she makes good moral decisions everyday.  I want us to be best friends which is why I want our relationship to be strong right now.

Cara is also smart but works at her own pace.  She does things slowly.  She talks slowly, reads slowly, writes slowly, and struggles to stay on task.  She CAN do it, but it requires a lot more patience from me.  I think she is this way because she is so sweet and tender that it is in her nature to be slow and meaningful in what she does.  She is still in speech therapy at our charter school.  She is also social but has a shy side.  She would rather play barbies or ponies then watch T.V.  She is a cuddly thing and craves that physical contact for affection.  She still acts like a little girl and sometimes has a hard time getting along with Merilee who is acting more grown up (even though she is still little).  However they are best friends and do everything together.

Holland has come such a long way.  He is such a sweet stinker.  I could just look at his sweet face all day.  He is full of expression and energy.  He jumps off and climbs everything.  He is an adventurer, super hero, pirate, prince charming, and puppy dog.  And sometimes he is all of those things at once!  He speaks his mind and is not shy.  He is very intelligent and observant.  He loves to help Daddy around the house and outside.  I have struggled to appreciate his qualities but he is destined to be a great man.  I can see him more clearly now and want to keep him my little boy forever.

Ezra is such a special guy.  He is laid back and easy going.  He loves to sleep and eat.  He has become quite the chunky boy.  He waddles around and makes us all laugh.  He doesn't talk yet.  He says, "Mom", and "uh oh".  He seems to do well around other children and babies.  His sisters dote on him all day long.  He loves the water in the bathtub and pool.  He is not an adventurer so when he wanders, he checks to make sure I am nearby.  He is a good traveler and shopping companion.  He also loves watching shows with lots of singing and dancing.  He loves on his stuffed animals and is not too messy.  He is a joy to have around.  His hair is long and carefree.  It is starting to get in his eyes and it will be a very sad day when I have to cut it.  It suits him....

So, with tears of love in my eyes I am so grateful to have them all home with me.  Who cares if they aren't learning the same thing or in the same way as their peers.  They will learn what they need to.