Homeschool Reflections, part 3

Things I am learning. . .

1) Even with five kids (and one that has no real words yet), I need to consider my "seating arrangement" as they will distract each other.

2) Contrary to popular belief, recess was not created for children to get some exercise.  It was created for teachers to keep their sanity.  We now implement two mandatory recesses. 

3) I really love my kids and spending all day with them just makes me realize this more and more.

4) "Block scheduling"is working well for us.  (Assuming one would call it that. Really, some days Rebekah sits down and does about two weeks worth of a subject.  It kinda blows my mind, but if that is how she works, then I am just grateful she is working! :)

5) I'm still battling with what to do with the "youngers" while teaching the "olders."  If I try to include them, they don't want in.  If I ignore them, they demand my attention.  If I try to give them something else to do, they don't want to do it.  So far I  have concluded they really just want to make life difficult for me.  Fortunately I have unending patience and am not hindered in my teaching ability by silly little pre-schoolers that are set on disrupting any and every thing I try to accomplish on a given day.

6) From the way things are shaping up, maybe by the end of the school year we will kind-of have this figured out!

7) Tomorrow is our first day of our local support group's "Homeschool Academy" (with name changed to protect the innocent) and I am excited and eager to see how it works out. Don't worry, I will keep you posted.

*That's all for now as the babe has finally given in and gone off to dreamland so I can put this computer down and head there as well.

Thankfulness Thursday

 .  . . with a heart of gratitude . . .

 

This week I am especially thankful for:

 

 

1)  A baby in my life right now. 

 

She is not one of those AMAZING babies (that puts herself to sleep, changes her own diapers, and solves world hunger) but she is not OVERLY fussy either.  She is just a baby.  Sometimes she naps on her own and sometimes she just wants to be held all day, but she is just an amazing little person that I LOVE SO MUCH!!  As much trouble as pregnancy and childbirth is. . . it is NOTHING compared to the amazing creation of a baby I get to enjoy for an entire YEAR (until it becomes a "toddler" :)  Now, if only I could sit around and just enjoy the baby all day - that would be "the life."  As it is, I need to remember how much I like her so I don't spend all my time thinking of her as "another burden" in the midst of our daily chaos.

2)  The community we are creating.

 

One of the main by-products of homeschooling (so it seems) is a close-knit family.  They LOVE to play with each other.  They take care of each other (when they are not stealing each other's toys).  They genuinely enjoy each other and that makes me so happy.  Hopefully they are creating friendships that will last a lifetime.

 

 

3)  Rebekah as a helper.

 

There is no way I would survive having all the children home without her help.  I remember a quote from a homeschooling mom of eleven children with an immaculate house.  When asked how she did it she replied, "I train my children to help me and then teach them to obey." Rebekah's training is going WELL and I am so grateful.  I hope the rest of the children will follow right along in her footsteps.

 

"O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, for His steadfast love endures for ever." - Psalm 107:1

Sibling Love

 

It is difficult to tell in this picture, but that smile Miriam is wearing is for her brother Jacob.  I was struggling to get the picture snapped before she stopped.  See next picture of "regular" Miriam facial expression in the jumper: kinda tired, serious. . .

 

 

Then, add a little attention from a sibling (this time Samuel) and Viola!  Miriam LOVES her siblings.

 

Yes, young Miriam, I will be the best big brother EVER!