I can read!

Zachary is reading pretty well right now. I am proud for two reasons- 1.) Hes my son and when your baby starts reading any parent would be proud, and 2.) I taught him how. Its a great feeling to see success with our homeschooling.

Of course, now we cant spell out our Christmas present discussions anymore. I am just so surprised at how fast Zachary picks up on all this stuff. He learns so fast and easily. I selected teaching materials for this year with the intent to review Kindergarten. No, its not that I presumed my son was stupid, its just that I assumed with his obvious disabilities that he would be learning impaired and that those impairments would put him behind. I expected the homeschooling process to be a slow and trying one. Instead, I think I am going to have to buy an entirely new curriculum in the new year because hes just way beyond the material I have. Hes bored and I end up having to coerce him into school with the threat of video game loss over his head. He breezes through our workload in no time flat and consistently craves more focus on reading, science, and social studies.

Zachary definitely struggles in some areas. His ADD makes his ability to focus a constant challenge. I have to stand right over top of him most of the day and help divert his attention back to his work. I would say he only has the ability to focus on anything for about 2 uninterrupted minutes, which tries both his and my patience through the day. He also lags in math. His strongest points are his handwriting, science, and reading. His handwriting is really something to see. Last year his teacher said Zachary was writing at a 3rd grade level- that his dexterity skills were WAY above his age level. I don't know if hes at a 3rd grade level(I have no idea what age appropriate handwriting is) but his handwriting is very very nice!

Homeschooling is definitely nothing I had expected it to be, but even on the days we struggle I absolutely love it. I love teaching my kids new things, seeing how they learn, and being right alongside them while they learn. I just cant even describe the way it changes a parent's relationship with their child to homeschool. I cannot foresee ever regretting the decision to homeschool my children.
*edited to add- yes! This WAS a shameless brag! Ha! I just patted myself on the back!