HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
Well, I had a bunch of posts I wanted to get in before the new year, but they’re going to have to wait I guess. I’ll have to do a “Things I forgot to post in 2006″ series.
I hope you all have fun tonight! We’re going to a get-together — I read on another blog (can’t remember where) that if the kids come along it’s not really a New Years Eve party, it’s just a get-together. Anyway, this way neither couple has to worry about a babysitter and the grownups can have fun. Last year we played Scene-It. It was a blast — we were surprised at how many movies none of us had a clue about! This year they want to play Pop Star on the PS3. I think we’ll split up boys against girls since Squid and I both sing on the praise team at church, lol! Personally, I think Scene-It would be fun again — they recently bought a 60″ LCD tv!!!
I guess I’m just rambling a bit now. Have fun, don’t drink too much, get a ride home if you do! See ya next year!!!
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Happy New Year, Gem!
January 1st, 2007 at 12:26 amHappy New Year! We played a game similar to Scene-it last night and it was alot of fun. Lucky for me, I had this movie-maniac on my team and he new almost every answer. We Won!
January 1st, 2007 at 3:17 pmHi Gem,
I actually responded to your email a couple of days ago–I don’t know why you wouldn’t have recieved it?!? I went ahead and copied it out of my “sent” email and I am posting it here. I hope this is OK and not to personal for a blog comment! Here it is:
Hi Jema,
You know, I had never heard of the name Jema until a few months ago when a friend name her baby Jema–such a very cute name! Since then I have discovered that it is quite old-fashioned and traditional. Now i guess I know two Jemas!
We live in Canon City–about one hour from Springs. Springs is a very nice town, it is quite new and it is close to the mountains, so it is pretty too. We go there about once every 2 months to shop and to just enjoy a bigger city than where we live. Even the downtown in Springs is quite clean with nice stores.
I know that a number of the churches have organized homeschool groups–activities, meetings and field trips for the kids and parents. I don’t think you would have any problem finding things to do for your kids (and for yourself!)
Homeschooling here in CO is fairly easy. The only thing we have to do is to inform the school district of our intent to homeschool (the childs name, age, days of schooling per year, and hours per day are all the info that we need to give) and bi-yearly testing or evaluating. Most homeschool groups offer a testing day and I know that there are a few places for evaluation near our house–Springs probably has a lot to choose from. The test/evaluation results need to be filed with a school (we file ours with a private school) and they are required to report to the public school district only is your child is below the 13th percentile in a subject. I have a friend who had to do this and the district basically did nothing and they haven’t even checked in on her (in two years). I don’t think that the district really has time to deal with homeschoolers, which is, of course, a good thing!
Regarding evaluation: From what I have heard, you basically take your child to the evaluators house and they play games, puzzles and story problems and they are assessed. It is supposedly very easy and fun for the child so if your child doesn’t test well, this would be a great option!
Regarding testing: One year our homeschool group didn’t have a testing day so I was able to do it by myself at home with my boys. It is a test of your choosing (obviously one that is Ok’d by the state law) and it can be quite easy and unstructured. If your child tests below the 13th percentile, the district can intervene (I don’t know how, particularly) but from what I have seen, they are very hands-off. I doubt they want to force you to put your child in school–it would look bad for them to do that.
One thing you will probably like about Colorado is the weather. You live in Michigan, correct? We have the 4 seasons here but the weather is fairly mild. In the winter we get plenty of snow but it is always followed by sunshine (it is sunny here 300+ days per year). The summer is generally between 80 and 95 degrees and we have thunderstorms quite often–these are nice because they cool the temperature. Outdoor activites and HUGE here–hiking, camping, rock climbing, ice climbing, fishing, etc., etc., etc. Lots to do with the kids!
If you have any questions, please let me know. If I can think of anything else you might want to know, I will email you.
I will add your family to my prayer list–for God’s guidance in this decision!
Randi
January 1st, 2007 at 7:57 pm