How did you spend it?
My Mother’s Day summary:
Slept until 9:30, played hookie from church (horrible traffic), ate Big Breakfast that hubby made along with presentation of homemade cards by the kids (tear-jerker), 2 afternoon soccer games, worked in children’s garden weeding and planting, ate left-overs from Big Breakfast. I’ll let the pictures say the rest..
Now back to the reality of academics..Game on.
Playing catch-up and saying no
I was on one of our local co-op sites early this morning reading about the classes that they’re offering, and some of them sounded interesting. I had a fleeting thought that it would be nice for the kids if we were participating in some outside group classes. Then, the reality check hit me that next year I’ll be teaching 4 different grade levels, and there’s no way I can do a decent job in home studies and have the outside responsibilities of co-op classes, as well. Sometimes, you just have to say “no”‘because no is the right thing to say. We can’t be involved in everything. Maybe if I only had a couple of kids to teach, but I’ve got 4 minds to shape, so I have to be very selective on where we spend our time.
Today, for example, I decided to keep us home for the afternoon and evening and skip extracurriculars. My second son is getting over a stomach thing, and I still needed to work with my oldest on math. It was a gorgeous day outside, but we needed to cover a large amount of academics. Keep in mind that I’m one-on-one with each kid the majority of the time, so even when they are getting a break, I’m not because I’m moving to the next child. I spent all afternoon going from different subjects with each child, and I was constantly moving from room to room or getting back up from just sitting. I finished fractions around 10 o’clock with my second grader, and this was after I was reviewing fact families and number bonds with my first grader.
I still have quite a ways to go in our studies before we can say they’ve completed what they need to know for this school year (according to Calvert). My husband knows I’ve been in serious teaching mode lately, because it’s hard for me to shift gears from homeschooling to anything else. My mind is just constantly going on this, especially when I feel stressed about covering what I want or need to cover. I don’t even think I changed out of my sweatpants all day-that’s lovely. We did watch Looney Tunes after dinner. My girlfriend had sent over a left-over quiche which I was very appreciative of. I love free food, especially if it gets me out of dinner planning!
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Skyping and such on Saturday
We woke a bit earlier than usual on this Saturday morning to Skype with our new French teacher who’s currently in France. I am beginning live lessons with my daughter since she seems to be an auditory learner. Auditory learners tend to migrate easier to foreign languages, so I’m interested to see how she does with the lessons. Our lesson was to occur from 9-10 this morning. Skype was not cooperating well, so we chatted with the teacher a few minutes and will try again this weekend. Don’t you just love a French accent? Yummy inflections..
That event was followed by getting my oldest out the door for lacrosse, then ballet, grocery shopping during ballet, then a gymnastics drop-off. The afternoon will be spent cleaning the house. It’s embarrassing to say, but I haven’t even unpacked my bags from our recent trip and it’s been a week!
I hope to spend the evening researching academics and extracurriculars that I’m either a part of or hoping to start. Then there are those business ideas I have so hoping to find some quiet time for those, as well.
Look at this sign that was in the grocery store parking lot. I’m sooooo glad that I cannot park there. Is that awful to say?
It’s 3 a.m. Time to shut her down..
Up late planning out classes for next year. This helps me evaluate what we’ve learned this year, and what we still need to cover.
Organization is key
Up late after painting my son’s bedroom. Now regrouping and going through schoolroom (formerly my dining room) to get a bit more organized. Clutter can make you nutty, especially if you are a homeschooler, so I make it a priority to stay on top of what could become a big mess.
Looking forward to summer break, but we’ve still got a bit of material to cover before then.
I’m tired, and it all just needs to stop for tonight..
There are not many true breaks for yourself when you homeschool. Even when you’re on a break, you’re not really on a break because you’ve got to plan what’s coming next in their education and in their lives.
We spent the day at Excelsior, our local homeschool cooperative. Dance followed classes. Then, we made a mad rush to buy groceries. You should see me buying groceries with all four kids. I just throw things in the cart like I”m shooting a basketball.
Next week is Excelsior’s annual “Friends and Family night” where the students present a variety of things they’ve learned throughout the school year. This week I”ll be planning for that. I’ve also got to work on science projects with my 2 oldest kids over the weekend. They’re presenting in a science fair in April. The Boy Scouts Pinewood Derby is Friday so I have to help the boys make their cars (Oh my gosh!). We’re testing this week in our home studies so lots of work to be done this week in academics. The weekend is full of activities. Thank goodness spring break is coming up, but I’ll have to pack for the entire family before we can travel during the break. And, even when we’re on spring break, I’ll be teaching because if I don’t, then we’ll be behind on where we need to be to break for the summer.
And, I need a summer break! Maybe I can get some of those house projects accomplished that stare at me everyday. Maybe I’ll sleep. Maybe I’ll just look at my children or go on a date with my husband. Or, maybe I”ll be prepping for the upcoming school year-Did I mention you don’t really get a break:)
Ivy League Homeschooling 