My last post was Wed, it's now Friday night, well, actually, it's 1:33 AM, so it's offically Saturday.

During the last two days we:

Reading: worked two lessons each child in Teach Your Child To Read In 100 Easy Lessons; both kids worked on computer reading games at their own levels, and played with the V Smile.

Whole Language/Writing:They wrote in their journals

Math:Two math worksheets each

Social Studies: watched videos on the lives of children their ages in different countries; China, Sweden and England. It was very interesting to see how their homes, food, and schedules differ!

Gym: trampoline jumping both days.

Science: We had the pleasure of watching the beauty of nature and instict as my oldest daughter's Bettas matted. We watched (just as the book read) as the male drew the female to the bubble nest he made, rolled around her body, squoze her and released as the eggs fell out. He then rushed to gulp up the eggs and quickly

attach them inside a bubble each in his nest. The process repeated for two hours and he chased her away when he was finished. Then we watched as he scoured the bottom for any fallen eggs and carefully tucked them into the nest.

Now we will follow the book and photos to watch the four day process until they hatch - the best kind of science, I think!

Tomorrow I have to prepare for my son's 9th birthday party, at the YMCA complete with rock climbing, swimming, water slide, and pool tables! I cannot believe he is NINE! How on earth did the time go so quickly? It makes me pay more attention to the fact I need to savor every day and stop worrying so much about little things, for he is not going to be a little boy forever...SIGH. Bittersweet.

I've decided to write down what we do each day that equals a learning experience,be it a math problem or collecting eggs. I am a relaxed homeschooler, and even though I do have some type of curriculum for each subject (eclectic style), I don't have a real set schedule. I believe that they learn just as much (if not more) from life situations. My husband, however feels differently. He's getting worried that without hours each day at the table with book work, they aren't getting what they need...SIGH! I've been doing this for five years, they are smart, inquisitive, and interesting children, I know they are doing well. Still, I'll try each day to punch in what they have done, perhaps it will show that even without a set schedule and a curriculum completely from the same manufacturer, they can and do thrive!

Feb 15, 2006

I'm so sick today, still, I cannot call in a substitute Mom/teacher can I? This nasty cold makes me feel as though I'm walking around with a barrel on my head, a barrel full of gel. I drove Mark (dh) to the airport, and stopped to pick up next winter's coats for the kids at 75% off. I do this every year and it has worked out fine so far, I just go up one size. I came home to children jumping on the trampoline in our much warmer than usual 50 degee weather. My oldest daughter working on her latest job on the computer. I medicated myself and sat for a moment until they came back inside. We got out the books on tape we borrowed from the library, and I had my 8 year old son be in charge of following along so the pages could be turned on the cd's that don't have a page turning alert. My 6 year old daughter just enjoyed the stories (6). I heated up the homemade vegtable soup from yesterday, and added sandwiches for a quick dinner from a Mom who is not strong enough to cook tonight. I'll have them write in their journals now, then feed the hamsters and hermit crabs, and later tonight we'll read 3 to 5 more chapeters in our chapter book before bed.

So, ok, today they didn't do a lot. But it is winter, we don't have our animals in yet, and I was gone most of the day getting dh to the airport. Maybe tomorrow will be a more productive day!