Life, Faith, Home, School - A good first week...

Aug. 28, 2009 - A good first week...

This past week we concentrated on getting back in the swing of things. I had recently had time (finally!) to sit down, and just type out the schedule I hoped to follow. I had made an earlier draft, then had time (about a month!) to think about it, then I started plugging things into a calendar. This week -- we followed our schedule! There are some things we haven't added yet, but all in all, I feel very confident, empowered, happy, and have a sense of "yes, we CAN do this!". I'm also tired out! Whew!

Baz was sick on Monday, and for the past week has been very, very whiny. I don't know exactly why, but my mom's intuition says he's about to take a learning leap -- or his brain has already taken it, but his mouth and vocabulary can't keep up! I've watched him struggle this week to put his thoughts together, and then whine and cry when he can't be as concise as either we or he would like to be. I'm praying for patience, and would ask you to do the same on my behalf!

Espen has been asking for "more schoolwork" several times this week, and has been ready to be a bit more independent for some time now, so I'm only too happy to oblige.

Jo-Jo could use more interactive time with the brother that is not doing a short lesson -- but both know how to deftly work out tv/vcr/dvd equipment, and they've been sneaking in more tv time than I usually like. This is something we'll continue to work on.

We're also implementing an idea I saw in this month's "Family Fun" magazine. Festisite.com has a feature where one can print out money, with a personalized picture in the middle! So, move over George -- here come Jo-Jo, Baz, and Espen "bucks". I tackled a major toy reorganization project on Wednesday, which is our "day off" during the week from lessons, and a chance for an outing, a treat, or for mom to do a project. I chose project this Wednesday.

All our toys, and even our books, are in a shelved area of our basement -- labeled in boxes and bins. Yes, the Type A side of me had a field day with this one! Woo. Hoo. I'll have to put a picture in next week. I was just sick of the constant distraction of toys (of which we have consciously chosen not to have an exorbitant amount, but nevertheless....), and the constant picking up for me, or nagging the kids to pick up, and also the questions, "Where is this toy? Where is that toy?" and really having no idea where to look first!

Our current idea, to be modified as we try it out for a few weeks: The kids earn "bucks" by a) completing their lessons b) interacting/playing with Jo-Jo while the other does their lesson c) doing their chores without being asked, or volunteering for a chore. They won't ALWAYS get "bucks" for chores, but sometimes they might. Then, they can "buy" a toy bin from our shelved area (which is surrounded by the inpenetrable fortress of a baby gate), and play with it. They can pool their bucks for multiple bins, or also use the bucks for computer time that is not related to their lessons, special reading or game time with Mom or Dad, and perhaps in the future, little toy or candy treats -- we'll see. The remaining little project is to put up our small (about 9 X 13 size) bulletin board so that the bucks and goals are more visible to them.

This week I also tackled making a list of every conceivable known extracurricular that I culled from several sources -- the YMCA in our area is now making a conscious effort of welcome homeschoolers, which I think is pretty neat. Though we probably won't participate in the actual homeschool programs due to timing (they happen to occur during major nap/quiet time zone for us at this point) it got me looking at several other programs. The goal, with all of it, is for TallDad and I to think about what we need or want the kids to do, what can wait -- and balance it all with our sanity and financial outlook. So, I included lots of free stuff, too!

We'll be going to storytime weekly, and there are also some free art classes that will provide some special outings. There are also some nice community festivals and programs that we like -- a nice fall festival is coming up, and we have attended the Celtic Festival in the spring every year since it began. The last two years without the kids, because its amazingly crowded, and they just wouldn't have really "got into it". But this spring, I think we'll plan to take the 2 older ones, at least.

So, my head is brimming with new thoughts, ideas, and my heart is thankful for a good week. I know not all weeks will be this "fun" and I won't always feel so energized. I'm thinking month 8 of pregnancy will see me a little different -- haha -- but I'm thankful for today...

In between all of this, I've been working on an article for a local family magazine, regarding the flu shot, and its effectiveness. This has been challenging for me to have a good balance. I'm not a PRO vaccine person...but I also respect others' choices in this area. So, it has been interesting, to say the least, to write. I will be happy when its sent off to my editor and I can move on with my writing life in that area. Have you noticed blog posts have been sparse lately? That is another reason why...

Well, have a great weekend! Oh, and posts might STILL be sparse, for a while, indefinitely?, as we get underway with our homeschool...but I do enjoy reading others' posts, and really relish the potential in blogging to let off steam, write something interesting, and just have a little corner of the web all to myself. SO, don't forget about me! ;-)

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