Our First Big Week of Home School - By Catholic Mommy

1. The Mighty Wrench of School - What a crazy week. I have been working really hard this week.  Mainly,  all the hard work has been from adding first grade home school to our regular work load.  Now I know why home schoolers do not get out every day like I am accustomed to.  If you go out too much, it really throws a wrench in getting school done.

2.  My Sanity - That being said I am very selfish about my gym time.  I must go every morning, six days a week to feel sane.  The kids love it too.  When we do not go, they ask me if we can go.  They have a kids play area and they have friends that show up regularly too.  As their friends get older and go off to school, I can imagine that the gym might become less fun for them.  When that time comes, I guess we will have to adjust how mommy gets exercise.  

3. The Clayton Bears and Too Much Play Dates - I scheduled two play dates for the end of the week.  I did not mean to have two.  By Thursday morning, the kids seemed like they needed to see some close friends and have a good play.  So I called one family and they did not answer.  Then I called another and they could meet us that morning.  Later, the other family called back, and I love them too and could not say, "Oh the reason I called, well, never mind we already played."

Thursday I skipped the gym and we finished home school early and went off to play by the late morning.  Then the next morning I went to the gym and then we went to another play date.  We only completed our spelling test in the afternoon (Alex aced it) and then everyone was exhausted and we took naps, which is highly unusual for us.  So long story short, I think we are definitely going to have to limit play dates.

4. What Alex Learned - Alex complained bitterly about his home school lessons every day this week.  But, he seemed to settle into them better by the end of the week.  On Thursday night, Daddy asked Alex about what he was learning, to which he responded, "I am learning that if I don't complain so much about doing my home school, it does not take as long to do it."  

"Say what, Child?! Thank you! Yes!" If that is the only thing he learned all week, I am happy.  It will be a much better year if he learns to just dig in, learn it, like it or not, and get 'er done.

5.  What Mom Learned - I am learning how to tailor this program to my family.  I think the materials are great, but they are a little on the dry side.  So I need to find more ways to be prepared and bring it all to life.  Alex hates handwriting bitterly.  He says it is too much work for his hand.  I believe him, but I also tell him that it will hurt less the more he practices. I try to go easy on him.  But, he really does need the practice.  He's a little ahead in math and he seems to do it with ease.  He's a typical boy in that sense.  We also have lots engineers in the family, so maybe he will take after them.  He is way ahead in reading, so I think I will be upgrading to the second grade curriculum at the semester.  He could probably do it now, but I want him to ease into home schooling.  Say what you will about "Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons."  I think it is great.  My four year old could not sit still and did not know the alphabet well, but by five he had finished the book and could read second grade level books before kindergarten.  I have heard other mothers poo-poo it for various reasons, but I found their reasons superficial.  I just followed along as scripted in the book and it worked.  I highly recommend it.  I will start Kristiana on it in January.

6.  What Annie Learned - Well, she had two poops and two pees on purpose all week and the rest of the week she had lots of accidents, but, little by little.  Maybe she will learn it by the time her second birthday comes.  She is not doing too bad, but she is not doing too well either.  She's going to learn it in spite of me, not because of me.

7. How Tough It Is to be Little - Lucy is becoming a momma's baby.  She does not want to be alone and only wants me to hold her.  I think it probably has a lot to do with the fact that her siblings always bother her and are rough with her when she is put down to play.  She has been crying and screaming a lot lately.  She has not been sleeping through the night as well.  It does not help matters that I have been burning the candle on both ends a lot this week.  I cannot do that anymore.  Despite all her turmoil lately, she is the happiest baby we have ever had.  All we have to do is look at her and she starts smiling and giggling.  

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Happy Byzantine New Year!

"Maker of the Universe, O Lord who alone have power over the seasons and times: bless this year with your bounty, preserve our country in safety, keep your people in peace, through the prayers of the Mother of God, and save us."