Home School Here We Come!!!!!!

After many days and nights of pure frustration, we have decided to make the change to Home School! The current school system that we are in, of course, uses the "common core" curriculum. I am not dismissing the "common core" as ineffective because it is not, it's just not for us. Clete has been going to a structured "school" since he was 18 months old, before he went to kindergarten Clete already had been exposed to addition, subtraction so on and so forth. The way that this curriculum is taught absolutely confuses Clete to the highest degree! In math for example, he learned to simply add to numbers together, well they want him to break it down into about 5 different problems, then solve it. We also have seen some of the "history or civics" if you will, and it TOTALLY goes against what is true. I want my child to learn about our government the way that our Constitution draws it out, that is NOT what is being taught! We have found a great "Cover School" in Auburn who's first priority is making sure that the parents and students have all the support that they need to be successful at this. They also want to make sure that the children continue to thrive in there socialization skills. They plan at least 3 events a month where ALL(70 families) the children get together. These events are everything from trips to the park(that also allow the parents/teachers time to get together and bounce ideas/problems off each other) to going to the Atlanta Aquarium. I have found an extensive curriculum that not only has lesson plans for Clete, but also has lesson plans suitable for Tripp. There are NO preschools in Dadeville for Tripp so this gives me a better opportunity to prepare him as well! We plan to let Clete finish this year where he is and start the Home School in the fall. Being as OCD as I am about plans and schedules, it will take me that long to get it all together! Anyway, just another update on where we are and what's going on! Love to all! Robin

Moving Right Along........

I just wanted to get on here and do a quick little update for everyone. I believe that the last post I made was about Christmas, well here it is March 2, 2014! Cook's Market at Pug's Place is growing in leaps and bounds! We, of course have all of our fresh fruits and veggies, frozen veggies and soup mixes, jams, jellies, Alabama Honey and Wickles Pickles. We have really gotten moving with expanding our merchandise. We now have a Custom Embroidery Service that is awesome, my sister-in-law Wanda does all of my embroidering and she is great! Right now we have a line of bandeau style bikini tops and tankini tops that are monogrammable, they are SUPER cute! We have a Custom Wreath service, you can by one in the store or order one to fit your fancy! My niece Tori, does the wreaths! Our business truly is a FAMILY business, we all have our talents in there somewhere. It is awesome that we get to work with the family, we are always talking about new "ideas" to put out there, so FUN! We have the Custom Vinyl Design for pretty much everything! I do window decals, wall art, signage and drink ware. I have a specific line of double wall tumblers that I either decorate or monogram. I also do personalized stationary, such as personal stationary, invitations, Thank You notes and other occasion cards. I have also decided to carry on with "Cook's Confections", which is my dessert catering business. I do homemade,old fashion cakes, pies and other treats. I DO NOT do the elaborate custom cakes, we have our own cake caterer and let me tell you this lady can do ANYTHING! The best thing, is that cakes are her passion, she loves doing them so her prices are absolutely amazing! She is the best! Since we have moved into our own building that is MUCH larger than the other, we have more room to display everything that we carry. Our newest product line is "Lake Life". "Lake Life" is a locally owned company that produces tee shirts, tanks, jackets, hats, visors, bags, drink ware and towels that are themed for the "lake life"! The shirts come in different themes, depending on what your favorite hobby is here at the lake: Hooked(fishing), Boardin(Wake Boarding), Sippin(relaxing on the water with the drink of your choice)Freedom(patriotic with fireworks) and Lake Life(logo). There motto is "be as wild as you want to be"! The towels are HUGE and thick, they are great. We are so excited to be partnering with them! Our soups and stews have taken off like a rocket! We offer Homemade Brunswick Stew(my secret recipe), Potato Soup(my secret recipe) and Broccoli Cheddar Soup(my secret recipe). We also offer "Nana's Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup", we do this one about once a month. All of our soups and stews are offered "hot and ready" and in the frozen section, I have to say though that we rarely have any to freeze! Anyway, that's just an update on "Cook's Market"! We are all doing well! I had a rough time with my blood pressure, arthritis and fibrocystic disease about a month ago, but I am good now! Mainly just dealing with nerve pain in my feet. Clete and Tripp are growing like weeds and thankfully, have not had any illnesses this winter other than a runny nose here and there. Clete is making all "As" in school, but is having problems being challenged by the curriculum that they use. He tends to get bored very easy and then in an attempt to entertain his self gets in trouble. I am heavily looking into homeschooling. Dale is still having a few problems with his shoulder since the surgery, but overall is good. Britt is focusing on helping us with the business right now, he is my right hand man creatively. Jackson will be 16 next month! WOW! I still can't believe that my chunky, little, curly, blond headed baby is going to be driving! He just started baseball season and is a starter for the Varsity team. We are still totally devoted to our church here,Lake Martin Baptist Church. Dale and I both serve in the church. Dale drives one of the transportation vehicles and runs the audio/video for services. I work in the nursery. Last week I was honored when our pastor came to our store and asked me to be the Sunday Children's Ministry Director! Today was my first Sunday and I have to say, it was one of the most fulfilling things I have ever done! Standing up there telling these precious children stories about our Lord and Savior was great! I am so blessed to be the one that holds there little hands and helps them with the beginning of their lifelong walks with the Lord! My little Clete is in this ministry. This ministry is one of the most important things to guide him spiritually and I am the one up there doing it! This position is a BLESSING, that is about the only way the characterize it! Well, that about sums it up! Here are our newest pics! Hope you enjoy! Love to ALL! Robin