I have been working on things to do with a 2 1/2 year old during our "school" time during the days, specifically when I meet with each of the older children for their individual time.  Before Janna was born, we had a system that worked pretty well, but I knew I needed to make some changes.  Since we are redoing our schedule anyway, I figured this was the time.  Before, the general set up was that each person had time with Jennifer in 1/2 hour segments while I was with each of the older children.  They basically got to do whatever they wanted.  I decided I wanted her to have a little more structure with planned activities during that time, so I have been looking into "what to do with a 2 1/2 year old?" 

A few of the things that we have come up with include:

~Before Five In A Row....Jaimee went through the Five in a Row, Volume 1 series, and really enjoyed it.  Someone will read the same book to Jennifer 5 days in a row (we will have different people each day do it), then there are activites related to the book to go along with the reading each day.  I think this will work well because they have 1/2 hour and that should be the perfect time to read the story and lead an activity.  I will also take a day or two doing this with her, as I wanted to be a part of it as well.

~Activity Bags.....These are basically a complete activity with instructions all put together in a large ziplock bag.  So, Jennifer along with whichever older child is with her for that time segment, can choose a bag and they can sit down and work  the activity for their 1/2 hour segment.  I am able to be included in an "activity bag swap" which means I will just make up 20 of one kind of activity bag, send them to a coordinator, who will separate them into 20 different groups and mail all the participants 20 different activity bags.  It is more economical and easier to do it this way as you can purchase the items in bulk and just make 20 of the same thing verses having to go and make 20 different bags yourself.

~Rice Bin.....We made one of these when Jaimee was younger and everyone enjoyed it.  Basically, we got a big bin, bought a 50 pound bag of rice from Sam's and dumped it in the bin.  We then added things like measuring cups, funnels, nested cups, etc.  The person this was intended for is the 2 1/2 year old, remember?  Well, it seems to be a big hit with the older children as well!  Jason spends a lot of time out there just for fun (without Jennifer along).  He has his little army men in there and has a big time with them in the rice. 

Our newest addition, Janna Grace, will be 8 weeks old in a few days.  These first 8 weeks since she has joined our family have been full ones.  Along with me recovering from my first c-section ever, we have already made a 1200 mile trip to visit our extended family and friends in Indiana.  (can read more details about that at our family blog:  www.homesteadblogger.com/kingfamily)  The older children have kept up with their daily lessons that they do themselves, but it is now time to get back in full swing again.  I have been pondering how to put everything together.  I keep telling myself that there are many people who have many more children than we have (we have 6), that somehow manage to homeschool along with taking care of a newborn and keeping the home running efficiently.  I tell myself that at times when I am working on the schedule and think I have it all fit together with everyone in a slot all day and then remember, "oh yeah....what about Janna???".  I still have the final touches to put on our schedule.  (I know that the schedule is not set in stone, but we have to have something to keep us on track.)  I've been working on revamping our chore schedule as well to include all the children sharing all the jobs instead of the brunt of it falling on the older ones just because they do a good job!  My friend, Rebecca, shared their "zones" with me and I was able to glean some great ideas from her, plus from my trusty Emily Barnes books, along with incorporating all that we already do that is working.  So...now that this is on paper at least, I will turn to the daily schedule and get that on paper, then it's time to put it all into practice.  It's just making the transition to our new "normal"......I'll let you know how it goes!