Homeschool by default...

Moving to a new island, moving apartments twice, a trip to Canada, two birthday parties and more,  you could say we have had a few busy months. The law on Statia, as well as on St. Maarten is that your child must be put in school at the age 4. So we planned on putting Krysten in school on Statia at the public school close to our house. However, with the move to St. Maarten that of course didn't happen, and unless we were willing to fork over 800 dollars a month, we didn't feel comfortable sending Krysten to school. So when Monty was off for the Christmas break he buckled down and basically showed me how to homeschool. Yes, I know I am the school teacher but I was either denying the fact that I was going to homeschool or too lazy to start.  Since we are not residents yet on St. Maarten we are not breaking any laws;)
The kids are sponges and were learning so quickly. It was really fun to watch. So when Monty headed back to school I continued the teaching;) Krysten is now reading, and doing simple math and Eli is learning his letters. Holy busy batman, homeschooling Kindergarten and doing preschool with our little island friends 1-2 times a week is busy. But honestly I wouldn't trade it for the world. As hard as it is, the rewards of watching your little ones progress, learn and grow right in front of your eyes is an awesome feeling! I am still not convinced about homeschooling, re: how much work it is. But I know that this is whats best for our family right now:)

Our daily schedule looks like this most days.

Breakfast, show, get changed, morning scriptures (kids are learning the articles of faith), prayers, reading, writing, math, art. Sometimes a field trip, or play date is thrown in there. In the afternoon we have some quiet time and of course a swim at the pool for gym.

I'm loving our time here in St. Maarten and I am not sure I will be ready to leave in 5.5 months!

Gung Hay Phat Choy! The kids loved celebrating chinese new year.

Arts and crafts 

"Baby bumble bee"

My view 

Since both kids are pretty strong swimmers I often opt out and sit and watch them play for hours together at the pool. Believe it or not the picture is deceiving and the water is cold, way to cold for me. I am definitely acclimatized to the 24 plus degrees weather, and it is often not warm enough for me to get in the pool. The same is at the beach. Once you're in the water it's ok but I usually end up with goosebumps after getting out. This time last year I was sweating and the ocean never felt cold. I am going to freeze when we go back to Canada!