33 weeks down, seven to go . . . until baby number seven makes his or her debut! We were surprised by the first three, found out the gender with the next three, and this one is a surprise, too. We think it's going to be a boy, though all the kids want a girl ("because we already have a baby boy").
We don't have much time to think about how close we are to delivery because we are trying to finish school before the new arrival. Looks like we'll be doing math lessons until July in order to finish the curriculum. The plan is to take July, August, and September off, resuming schooling in October for the new year.
Other major goals before delivery are to "Toilet Train in Less Than a Day" our 2 1/2 year old and move the baby (16 month old) into a room with a big brother.
We took all six kids on a "field trip" to the World's Largest Aquarium in Atlanta, GA today. It was not what we had hoped. Granted, we went on a Saturday when the crowds are the worst. But no one had warned us that you are not supposed to take strollers into each exhibit area. There were so many people it was difficult for the kids to get close enough to the glass to see well. It was hard to keep up with our children in the midst of such a dense crowd (and most of the areas are dimly lit). And it was very tiring to have to carry the two youngest ode to the "no stroller" rule. Our five year old got "lost" for a couple of heart-stopping minutes, too. Hubby and I were not impressed, but the kids did enjoy themselves.
Advice to those wanting to visit a nice aquarium . . . go to Chattanooga, TN! The Aquarium in Chattanooga has wide open spaces for seeing all of the exhibits and strollers are convenient throughout the building. It's a wonderful place to take even very young children. I bet they won't even notice that it doesn't have a Beluga whale.
A minor cold can take nearly a month to circulate through six children and two adults. The children are tired, more fussy than usual, and are constantly needing tissue (and several need help wiping noses). This can sometimes make mom tired, more fussy than usual, and when she is also sick, needing tissue for her own tears of exhaustion. Back in the days before marriage/children I could call in sick and recover in peace and quiet. But now (unless I'm really ill and "call in sick" with hubby at work which I try not to do unless I am really unable to function) the work goes on!
Before homeschooling we could all watch movies and rest. These days we still watch movies on "sick days" but we keep schooling as much as possible. Maybe when my head is pounding I can't handle teaching a new concept in math, but I can still read (or listen as my 2nd grader reads) literature books. We can also use sick days to listen to geography songs, watch a Latin/art/or music lesson on DVD, and practice penmanship.
Some good work can still be done. But it ain't easy being sneezy.
I bought some "Moon Sand" today and have to warn you NOT to fall for it! It looks as if it should function like Play-doh which never dries out. It functions too much like sand. It is EVERYWHERE and I keep finding more. In our family this stuff will be for outdoor fun only.
Last week I purchased a burger at Burger King for $1.58. The counter girl took my $2 and I was digging for my change when I pulled 8 cents from my pocket and gave it to her. She stood there, holding the nickel and 3 pennies, while looking at the screen on her register. I sensed her discomfort and tried to tell her to just give me two quarters, but she hailed the manager for help. While he tried to explain the transaction to her, she stood there and cried.
Why do I tell you this?
Because of the evolution in teaching math since the 1950s:
I'd love to hear from other moms who have little ones as to HOW your school routine works through the day.
Our plan is to have school in the morning before Dad goes to work, during the younger children's naptime in the afternoon, tidbits throughout the day as possible, and then a bit more in the evenings when Dad gets home. The state requirement is 4 1/2 hours per day for 180 days. We will be doing first grade grammar, math, reading, writing, literature, Bible, as well as a bit of geography, art and music.
This is probably just the first of a few posts about the Veritas Academy Teacher Training Conference I attended last week in PA. Was anyone else from homeschoolblogger there?
First, Doug and Nancy Wilson were the primary guest speakers and though I have always liked their writings I have a much higher opinion of them after hearing them speak. Their speech is full of grace, mercy, and love (some of you may be surprised?). They stress that your children should know these in abundance, and that education and family life should be full of fun and JOY.
The conference was certainly directed toward those who are committed to Christian Classical Education and was rich and deep in its training. It was full of solid philosophical and worldview training and also provided workshops for implementing various subjects, mainly based on Veritas Press materials.
It was pretty powerful to be hit with how important the education of our children is not only for their sakes but for our grandkids and their grandkids! I am still processing it all.
My children (including the two year old) love to get mail. We have found some magazines we like (and others that we don't) that they really enjoy.
Our very favorite is God's Worldwww.gwnews.com , a "news" magazine for children written from a biblical worldview. It highlights fascinating facts and news tidbits that will be of interest to little ones. There are different magazines for different ages (from Pre-K through ninth grade). Each issue comes with a "Teacher's Helper" insert and recently it was a poster outlining different worldviews--excellent! You can check out the website or call for a sample issue. We HIGHLY RECOMMEND this! :o)
Our two and four year old love getting the book-like Wild Animal Baby and the five and six year old enjoy Your Big Backyard. Both of those can be found at http://www.nwf.org/nationalwildlife/ . They also have Ranger Rick for older children but we have not tried that one yet. These are a nice introduction to wildlife = our first "science curriculum"! :o)
Another magazine we have enjoyed is Sesame Street. The hitch is that it only comes as a supplement with Parenting (and you have to ask for Sesame Street when you order or it will not be included). I appreciate many of the Parenting articles regarding health matters, but the parenting advice is usually (um, always?) contrary to our family's beliefs. It gets skimmed and then chunked in the nearest trash bin. But the copies of Sesame Street stick around and are often read several times.
We just got the first-ever issue of Answers magazine from "Answers in Genesis" http://www.answersingenesis.org/articles/am/ . It looks like it will be fantastic! It is packed with information about creation science and defending a biblical worldview, and also has a "Kids Answers" section.
This is our first year homeschooling. I am so happy that UndertheSky posted "Ten Things We Wish We Believed About Homeschooling When We First Started" on her blog. Goto: www.homeschoolblogger.com/underthesky and scroll down the sidebar on the right. It may greatly encourage you, too!
Thank you, Kate! I'm trying to wait patiently for the final two . . . .
My faith teaches me that the calling of Christian homemaker, wife, or mother is just as holy as one to "full-time ministry."
I am a mom of six children ages eight and under (plus baby number seven on the way) seeking and sharing helpful tidbits learned during this season of life. May we glorify and enjoy Him each day!
:o),
Moms4Psalms
