Homeschooling mom to be.

Odds and Ends

Hello everyone!  Did you all have a great weekend?  We took the kids on a trail walk yesterday, it was warm enough for the first time in weeks, and they loved it!  There's something about a warmer day after weeks of freezing that just begs us to go outdoors.

This is going to be piecemeal, because I don't have a lot to report on any particular subject.  We did get a new washer, and it works just fine and dandy.  Thankfully!  You know, I have to admit, aside from destroying my hands wringing out the clothes, the rest of it was kind of fun!  The girls sure loved it!

My three-year-old ( I won't be able to say that for long, she turns four in a month) is doing great with her reading!  She's even beginning to read a few short sentences!  I'm very impressed.  However, I don't think my younger daughter will do as well with this program.  She's on the move ALL THE TIME!  I think I'll have to turn reading into some sort of game for her, or something.  My eldest is much more of a logical thinker, so it works for her!

So now, I want to start incorporating more chores into the day for my girls to do.  But I'm not quite sure how to go about it.  I don't want to punish them for not doing chores that I haven't taught them to do, but at the same time, they're old enough to do some basic chores.  Now, if I spend a few days teaching them one or two chores each, is it unreasonable to expect them to do that?  I realize they're likely to lose interest, so is it going to be a problem for me to make them see it through?  I seem to remember doing dishes at age four.  I don't know.

Anyway, other than that, we have a super busy spring/summer season.  My brother is getting married in Quebec, and my sister and I are singing in his wedding.  So we have to find accomodations for at least four nights.  That's in May.  Then my sister is getting married in June, here in town.  I am a bridesmaid, my husband is a groomsman, and my two girls are flower girls.  I have ordered my dress (why do bridesmaid dresses have to cost so much?) and my husband has his suit, he just needs new pants.  I found a lovely store that sells fancy kids dresses for really reasonable prices, so I'll go there for the two girls.  Thankfully, I have a friend who agreed to come to the wedding and sit with the girls, since my hubby and I will both be standing!

Our girls are growing like weeds lately!  I bought shoes for Mercy in October, and had to buy her new ones last month.  I bought new shoes for Nadja in October as well, and bought her new ones this month.  Then Mercy shoes me that her shoes are worn right through, so I have to buy her more again!  I told my sister I don't dare buy their flower girl dresses yet!  I have no idea how much they will grow between now and June!

My husband and I were supposed to start trying for child number three last month.  Needless to say, it didn't happen.  We're still living with my in-laws.  It was supposed to be only until the spring, but it looks like it'll be longer.  I'm sorry if it is selfish, but I just can not do it as long as we're living here with shared space!  It's too much on me, and I don't think it would work for them either.  They're getting older, getting more tired, and I don't think they'd appreciate a baby in the house now.  So now we'll just have to wait and see.  Anyway, it's shaping up to be another lovely day outside, so I'm going to take my munchkins for a walk!  Have a wonderful week!  God bless.

Mama J.

Thank you for your kind expressions

4:17 PM, Feb. 9, 2009 .. Posted by kcmyworld

Our family is doing well. After 4 prior miscarriages, it wasn't really a surprise.

And I enjoyed your update. Sounds as though your girls are growing by leaps and bounds!

Robin

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10:12 AM, Feb. 18, 2009 .. Posted by SandBetweenMyToes

Adding in a couple of chores should work fine, esp. for the 4 year old. Just don't expect her to remember to do it on her own. Make a colorful chart with pictures of what she is supposed to do. Go to it with her each day to see what is to be done, then check it off when she's done it. She will still need you to be with her for a while, probably. It won't save you much work now, but the payoff will come later. I wouldn't "punish" her for not doing it, but there can be a consequence. "You can't watch a video until your work is done.", for example. Also, remember that it won't be done to your standards for a long, long time!
Sounds like lots of things coming up for you. And, I can definitely relate to growth spurts!
Letitia

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12:21 PM, Feb. 19, 2009 .. Posted by MamaJ

Thank you for those suggestions. I do realize that it won't be to my standards, but I do feel it's important to cultivate an industrious spirit in the children. The other problem, as I mentioned, is that they're bored often. Boredom can always be allayed with work. At least, that's what I learned at home. Thanks again, it is absolutely wonderful to hear comments from people! God bless.

Mama J.