Kids' Simple Accomplishments!

Oliver has finally learned how to ride a 2 wheeler bike (with no training wheels). For some reason, Oliver has always had a difficult time pedaling and riding a bike, as if his brain just could not comprehend pedaling. ?? He is our only child who has had trouble pedaling. The other day, Ken took Oliver out alone to the park down the street to teach him how to pedal a bike and how to do it on 2 wheels. Ken was determined. So, basically, Oliver went right to riding a 2 wheel bike...since he had never ridden a bike at all...even one with training wheels. Even though he is 7 years old, this is such a big accomplishment for him! We are so proud of him! Today, he was so excited that he could do this, he wanted to show me and so we went to the park and he rode around the parking lot....on 2 wheels. I was amazed that he learned to do this all in one night with Ken. Such a simple thing, but it was a BIG accomplishment for Ollie.


The girls love riding their little bikes!


Some more simple accomplishments are Isaiah and Jeremy getting awards for their homeschool testing improvements. Last year, I started using OHVA for homeschooling the 2 older boys. With them getting older, and getting into more difficult subject matters, I needed more organization and also wanted to make sure my kids were getting taught what they needed to know....basically to understand school testing, to not be lazy or behind in their studies and to ensure they could get into good colleges in the future (every parents' hopes and dreams). I found a virtual school that another homeschooling friend of mine was using with her kids, called OHVA/K-12. This was our 2nd year using this, since the boys really liked it. We were able to get a free computer as well as textbooks, workbooks, reading and phonics books, science equipment, math manipulatives, maps, ect ect. Everything was free and colorful and wonderful! The boys really enjoyed the books, and we are also still able to incorporate a lot of additional homeschooling outings and co-op classes. At the end of the 2006-2007 school year, the boys did have to take the OAT (Ohio Achievement Test), and they did OK, but not great, with it being their first year of real testing. This year, for the 2007-2008 school year, they took the OAT tests again and did much better! They had such great improvements, that OHVA sent these certificates of improvement to both of them...and here they are...proud of their achievements! We are looking forward to another fun year of homeschooling coming up soon, and this year, Oliver will also be doing OHVA as well.


Jeremy has been working soooo hard lately on Football. He has had football practice EVERY weekday night since mid-July. Some nights are especially difficult when it's hot and he has to wear all the equipment. But, Jeremy has held in there and is doing great. His stamina and strength is increasing, as he has been working hard as a Line Backer and Running Back. We can not wait to see his first Football game coming up the weekend of August 23rd. I'm sure I will have a lot more photos and write ups about his upcoming games.


And, with swim lessons this year, Isaiah and Jeremy graduated from Level 4 to Level 5, Oliver made it from Level 2 to 3, Kateri graduated from Tot 4 all the way up to Level 2 and Luanna graduated from Tot 4 to Level 1! All of them have made tremendous progress with swimming.



Lastly, the girls just finished their summer session of Gymnastics. Both of them did great! I was so proud of their wonderful cart-wheels and round-offs. Kateri did so well that she graduated to the 6-8 yr old level Invitational Gymnastics class! The teacher told me that Luanna is not far behind her and soon will be invited to be in the older class as well. So, it looks like they both will continue with gymnastics in the Fall. Great job girls!