Ok, so my mom believes that homeschooling is the best thing for J, but just not for the other kids. She actually said "I do think school has one benefit - it's an education being there on how to deal with the outside world - which most kids are a part of.". I explained in detail how school is so not the real world, but she came back with the fact that since most kids go there, it's the norm. I was kind of aggravated that she hasn't really heard a word I said about homeschooling this whole time. She's always been one to go with the flow of society, but I was hoping that some of my rebellious attitude might have rubbed off a little. She also thinks that because I feel the need to explain my thoughts to her that I'm feeling insecure about it. UGH! No, I want to really have someone in my family totally understand about homeschooling so I can talk about it with them. I hate that her opinion holds so much weight with me! She tends to enjoy disagreeing with me on things and being "right", when usually I just throw my hands up and stop debating. But then again, she had audible doubts about my extended breastfeeding, cloth diapering, raw vegan diet, family bed, baby/toddler sling-wearing, dressing/feeding my kids properly, living in the city, and being a SAHM. So, maybe I should just forget about it and stand firm. Just once I'd like to hear her say she's proud of us instead of embarrassed.

I mailed out the quarterly report this afternoon and then went food shopping. J cut out tons of coupons and we searched out the bargains together. She's getting very good at doing math quickly in her head and seemed to really be using her skills at the store. Even at the PO, she asked about a dozen questions and wanted to learn all the ins and outs of how it all worked. W had hip-hop class in the late afternoon and I think he's starting to take this seriously. All the moms got to form an "audience" today and W just ate that up. He's good at being "gangster" with the hip-hop moves. K seems to still be doing well at school. She has chosen to do some extra credit for several classes and her tests and reports are getting good grades. Report cards are out next week, so we'll see. B's band is playing at CBGB's next month. I think that's so exciting! As for me, I got a lot done today and feel pretty organized.

Link of the day:
http://www.desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060122/OPINION01/601220305/1035/archive