The Initiative, Independence and Passion that Shayna is showing us at the start of this year

I know how blessed we are. Trust me. We truly do have a gem ! Shayna is an amazing kid. Our friends tell us how lucky we have it. Yes, training her to be this way was a "treat" (is that scarcastic enough) ! There were certain things that we instilled in her at a very young age. Some people totally disagreed with our ways. Others thought we were crazy. Some just shook their heads. However, in our opinion we got a pretty cool kid !

Homeschooling - Shayna is strong willed. While good most of the time, it was certainly hard some days of homeschooling. Especially the first few weeks of every year. She questioned "Why". She constantly said, "But the kids at school aren't learning this." She sometimes just moaned. I guess this is what comes from a strong willed kid.

This year (and maybe I am totally jinxing myself) has been SO DIFFERENT. There are no questions. She has set her alarm and woke herself up daily. She has been getting dressed, straightening her room, brushing her hair/teeth (without being asked), coming down for breakfast and always doing her "independent work" without me asking.

What is the change ? I am not sure. Maybe after all these years (although we have only done "sit down work" in the morning for the last 2 years) things have finally clicked.

For the last two weeks that we have started "school" I have been so pleased. Shayna has worked for 3 - 4 hours every day. We have gotten some GREAT projects started. Worked on viewing some math from last year. Played games - lots of games ! Done some art projects. Made plans for this year. Planned field trips.

Yesterday, I had a lengthy meeting with a friend of mine. I brought plenty for Shayna to do. She kept herself busy and completed everything I asked and did it well !

For writing class, she has taken the initiative and is working HARD on a piece of writing (we use IEW) and it is amazing !! I can't believe the growth in her work.

I am amazed at everything this child is doing ! And with joy, smiles and laughter. What a GREAT beginning to this Homeschooling year !