Jan. 13, 2008 - Happy

If you are a consistent person, you may not understand what I'm feeling.  I feel happy and relieved all rolled into one because...drum roll....we completed an entire week of school.  YES!!!  Ah, the feeling of accomplishing a goal. 

What's been in my way?

1. Me - SAD (seasonal blues) kicked in early this year.  October was a bust.
2. Thanksgiving - We were just getting back in the swing of things when DH took the kids off to his brother's house for four days.
3. New Granddaughter - Before the kids could recover from Thanksgiving, my oldest went into labor.  After several days of practice, she gave birth to a beautiful baby girl.  I deserted my family to try and help DD and SIL adjust to being new parents.
4. Christmas shopping - ACK! I was trying to enjoy being a grandma for the first time.  Who has time for shopping?
5. New Year's - Can't really get in the groove while Dad is still home from work.

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Jan. 9, 2008 - The Secret Weapon

I think I have found the "secret weapon" for 9yodd...my new laptop computer.  The last couple of days I have typed her English grammar assignments in a word document on my computer.  She thinks it is cool to do her work while learning to use my computer.  In fact, she even asked for more work!  I've also had her practice her spelling words on the computer.  If I had known using the computer would "excite" her, I would have used it on the first day.

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Jan. 7, 2008 - One cooperative child

Thank goodness for one cooperative child!  My 12 year old may not always want to do something, but she generally will do what I ask.  My 9 year old on the other hand was a pill today.  She is a very dramatic child and literally moaned, groaned, and wailed most of the afternoon.

I knew I needed to  be battle ready, so I tried to keep my expectations low.  I had 9yodd work in a first grade math book.  I know, I know.  It was WAY beneath her, but at least she couldn't complain that it was too hard.  She still moaned and wailed which gave me a good chuckle.  It was so ridiculous!   We also did handwriting, spelling, and English grammar.  She did fine but complained loudly the WHOLE time.  Believe it or not, she is full of energy when it is something she wants to do. ;)

12yodd quietly did  her spelling  and handwriting without complaint.  We reviewed the first part of an IEW (writing) DVD together during which she almost fell asleep.  She enjoys Mr. Pudewa's humor, but this is the 3rd time she's seen this segment.  Then we did a math lesson together.  She did math on her own for about a year, but she started to get bogged down.  So, I've decided to be more "present" during math in hopes that she'll let me know what she needs help with.

I plan to keep expectations low for awhile.  My main goal is to be consistent.  Who won the race?  The tortoise and that is who my kids need me to be.

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Jan. 6, 2008 - Twas the night before...

Twas the night before school and all through the house  ... the teacher had lost her enthusiasm, there wasn't an ounce left. 

I sat up late last night writing up some goals for restarting school.  I felt excited.  But, with school just around the corner (less than 12 hours), I seem to have lost my enthusiasm.  The reality is...school is work.

To be continued tomorrow..... Will the students cooperate?  Will any learning actually take place?  Stay tuned for the next exciting episode of "As the Homeschool Turns."

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