• Aug. 15, 2007
Today was a big day in our home. I took all my big girls to their first dentist appointment. Yes, even my 7, almost 8 year old had her FIRST appointment. Am I horrible? Can you tell I have issues with dentist offices? I'm not sure why I have such a phobia of it, because I love going to the regular doctor. I think it is the pain quotient. Anyway, Shayla had 1 cavity, and the two younger girls had none. My darling 3 year old didn't even bite anyone! I call that a good day.
This evening we watched some home movies. They brought back so many fond memories. I am definitely going to start using our camcorder more often. The girls grow so quickly. We laughed so much. My mom even watched a few with us. We have more to watch tomorrow, and I am really excited about it. We've had this wonderful contraption for almost 2 years, and we just took the time to hook it up to our tv. If I would of known how much fun it was going to be, we would of done it much earlier.
The public schools started a couple of days ago around here. Our neighborhood is very peaceful these days. I've missed that. I like having kids come over to play in the afternoons, but right after breakfast can get tiresome.
Our school days are going very well. We are doing a bit of activities in the morning before we have lunch, then Shayla and Cassy do school while the littles nap. I do our read alouds with them before bed. It makes for a more relaxed atmosphere around here. The main reason for the switch was that Graycie, my 3 year old, was so bored while the girls did their book work. This way, she gets to be involved in fun crafts while I still have my energy, instead of being herded off to kill time. I love the moments we are getting to share. We put the baby in the bumbo seat in the middle of our table, then the girls do their crafts around her. It's a family affair!
Comments
• Aug. 17, 2007
Untitled Comment
Posted by SandBetweenMyToes
That sounds so great. I'm glad it's running smoothly for you.
My 6 year old has never been to the dentist. I really need to get her there. I hate to go, too. And, my 10 year old has had some traumatic experiences with dentists, so she's pertrified. She's way overdue for a cleaning!
I've never had anyone shake their head or anything when I told them we homeschool, but I have heard many people at church be very excited that it was almost time to send their kids back. Beyond selfishness, the schools also breed worse behavior and attitudes that the parents don't know how to or want to deal with. Sad.
Letitia
• Aug. 18, 2007
Untitled Comment
Posted by daybydaygrace
Congratulations on the new baby. I haven't been by in a while so I did not know the baby was born. My sister is going to have a baby in Dec. & I just can't hardly wait to get my hands on that little precious one. Blessings, Traci
• Aug. 29, 2007
Good Plan!
Posted by 5atkins
I agree that using the nap time for maiin school is a good plan! I also think that doing the crafts first thing when you feel more like it is also great timing!
I have to tell my girls the craft the day before so they will make me do it the next day! I would be content to just read and write! :) Glad it is going well!
About traing for sitting in church: We do nightly (most nights) family worship. I treat this like church. The girls have to sit in certain places, not get up, not talk, not play, not turn and look at others. Before we start I would explain the rules. I kept Mary then 3, next to me on the couch. I strictly enforced the rules. For the first week, if she misbehaved I would take her out and spank her and come right back in the room. She soon learned that she had to be quiet. We started off doing about a 10 minute "church" time. Then we moved up to around 30 minutes. For the most part I kept her on my lap the first several weeks of this. It was easier to control her movements and she would usually lean back on me to rest since this was 7PM and near bed time. So on the Sunday night I started, she was kind of used to things. We have music/prayer for the first 20 mintues. She was allowed to be a little wiggly here. Then when it was time for the service, she sat in my lap for church. I had to take her out one night (the third or fourth week) because she became whiny. I disciplined and we went right back in and sat on our pew. I haven't had to take her out again for over a year!
I do sometimes let her "read" a book, but only one. Usually it is her picture Bible. I also sometimes give her paper and pen, but that is very rare. We sit on the front row, so that keeps her from getting distracted by others. For the first 6 months she usually ended up resting/sleeping on me near the end of the service. Now that she is nearly 4 1/2 falling asleep is rare!
Hope that helps! Are you still reading Raising Godly Tomatoes? http://www.raisinggodlytomatoes.com/crying.htm
Here's a page on training for church.
Blessings to you all! Your baby is so pretty just like her sisters! In Him, Eva
