June 28, 2018

As soon as the PS woke up and realized the ground was covered in wet grass, she declared, "I am ready to go back to my home."  I chuckled and kept walking, but she followed up with, "Mama, get your stuff!"  Ahh, my little Sensory Girl.  We've come so far that sometimes I don't even think about it anymore, but camping was a clear reminder that her world operates a bit different than mine.  This is her packing stuff up because she sincerely wanted to be clean and not have wet grass on her feet.  

Safe from the outside world, they played with kinetic sand for hours yesterday <3

June 27, 2018

We went camping in all its dirty, wet, buggy, hot glory.  And we had a blast. 

Fire safety







Unstructured learning and exploration

The storms rolling in-  what does that mean?  We have to prioritize our activities.  We must get the fire started so that a little rain won't prevent dinner from happening.  And once the storms did roll in, we pulled out books upon books upon book.

Bubbles.  Who doesn't love bubbles?

June 26, 2018

As I prepared us for our Birthday camping trip, the kids spent time doing their own thing.  The PS built a fort (with some assistance) and then gathered all of her stuffies.  The 2nd opened a present today.  He actually knew he was getting it.  He told me he had accidentally seen it last week, so after I told him how awesome it was that he was upfront with me, I also told him he didn't know when he was going to get it!  Well, today, he opened the Gekkobot and spent many, many hours putting it together.  

 Later at TKD, the class sang to him after either "pulling his ears or giving him a hug."  I also got to be in the class, being a landmark event of the 2nd and me being students at the same time. 

June 25, 2018

Relaxing after spending the day with Grandma.  Most would not consider a day with grandparents academic, but this is one of the differences you can make when you're in charge of school.  Just as music and sports and art are an essential part of education, so, too, is multi-generational time.  When I picked him up, he played a song on the piano that he and Grandma have been working on. 

June 24, 2018

We like the idea of being able to enjoy each gift.  At Christmas, we spend hours opening a couple gifts because we open them up and play and enjoy before moving on to the next.  I can't say it will have the desired effect, but my hope is that it will help each item to be valued on its own. 

It's officially Birthday Week, so today, the 2nd opened Tri-ominoes. Family games and lessons are my favorite.

June 23, 2018

Saturdays are notorious errand running days, but we had some fun anyway! The PS found a painted rock in the craft section (I love hiding rocks in the craft section because you just know whoever finds it will appreciate it). 

 We were also able to conduct a frog rescue.  Because we live in the south, it is already over 100 degrees everyday.  This little green frog was baking on the studio door- we actually thought he was dead.  However, he was not, so we gave him some water and he perked right up.  Since death was no longer imminent, we named him Bert the Frog.  We talked about where Bert might like to live since the hot, hot concrete with no shade was not a good choice.  We decided he needed bugs to eat, shade, water, and green, so we drove him over to a pond, complete with all his essentials.  The PS was absolutely entranced with him.  We had to have an important conversation about releasing Bert instead of keeping him.  It was a tough one.  The 2nd was happy to aid in the rescue, but once we were all safely in the van, he was way more interested in tacos than Bert. 

The 2nd has been asking to make Play Doh a lot this week because we got new coloring.  So many times I began to make it for him, and every time I had to stop myself and remember that making it is part of the learning process.  He needs to know that fun takes work, and work can be fun.  He needs to see the ingredients and measure and touch and feel what part contributes to what attribute.  We spent 45 minutes making it, and 2 hours playing with it.   He even shared with Baby Sister. 

Tomorrow begins birthday week, so we read the Happy Birthday to You! by Dr Seuss tonight.  The 2nd picked it out and read along with me.  I love so much getting to know their big personalities.  I feel so grateful I get to teach them and prepare them for their lives. 

Soccer Week

Soccer camp is one of the most beloved weeks of our year.  Sports are an important part of learning and a well-rounded education. 

5 things learned at soccer this week:

1. Sometimes attitude outweighs aptitude.  

2. Hydration is serious business.

3. You will not always get a turn.

4. When something goes wrong, pick up where you are and charge ahead.  

5. It is important to learn your coaches' names.  

Bonus: When the thermometer says 100+, we will absolutely be stopping for SnoCones.  

June 17, 2018

For Father's Day, the kiddos' dad came over.  They gave him their "One in a melon" cards and a book that the 2nd read to him.

June 16, 2018

My 2nd love grits, and I mean loves grits. When we went to the Farmer's Market and the were grinding up the corn fresh to make corn, he absolutely couldn't stand still.  He wanted to see every part it.  It was my favorite part of the day watching him dance around with excitement, watching the machine.  And of course, it's not a Farmer's Market without a treat.

June 15, 2018

   

 Friday: I cannot seem to shake the tired lately.  I wonder if it's because we have doing a lot more and sitting a lot less.  The babies had a lot of energy as we started the day, so we through routine to the wind.  I corralled everyone outside for whatever adventure awaited. We need to learn self-care along side academics, and how much sanity could be saved if we all took more breaks and more walks throughout the week? Believe or not, the grammar lesson was still there and available when we got back.  We met some new neighbors and checked out some new flowers. 

After our much needed outdoor time, the 2nd finished his grammar while the PS played with slime and My Little Pony figures.  I haven't worked out the kinks for refocusing the PS yet, but I imagine that at four, anytime she is entranced or engrossed in something, she is learning.  Generally, Fridays are our catch up with any work that didn't get done throughout the week, and today was pretty light.  We did have an awesome reward activity from Kids Activities Blog.  We created ice cube concoctions to create mini treat times later. 

June 14, 2018

I am optimistic, but not because today was easy.  On the contrary, today was a struggle for me, for the PS, and the 2nd.  The 2nd works on telling time, which has always been somewhat elusive for him, most likely because we have never kept a schedule very well. We worked on two pages of clocks for about 45 minutes trying to understand "half past 2," which is a long time at six years old, even when he enjoys it. We broke out blank clock faces and Paint Dab Markers.  We counted hours.  We counted minutes.  However, when he got genuinely frustrated, that is when the magic moment happened.  

He said he was trying but he didn't know how.  He started to get upset.  I said, "You're doing great.  This is tough stuff, and it takes hard work." Then he started to do his faked, escape cry, and I looked him in the eye, and said,"Nope.  It's okay to be frustrated, and I get that because you are working so hard. But I am not okay with you shutting down because that means you've quit trying." He looked like he might test to see if I would hold my position, but he went back to the work.  After another couple minutes, his face lit up and he asked, "Is that right?!"  I said, "Yes!" and we high-fived in celebration.  He did the rest of the page and we celebrated every single one.  He thinks he learned to tell time.  I think he learned to persevere.  He never ceases to amaze me.  

As an aside, this moment is one of my Why.  When you begin homeschooling, you'll will be told to right down your "Why we homeschool" and place it somewhere visible. Revisit it often and all of that.  This moment- the fact that I got to be a part of this moment in his life-  this is a very large part of my Why.

The PS is working on identifying letters and numbers, so she dot painted numbers. WHen she was finished with her worksheets (it happens pretty quickly), she sorted pom pom balls.  She is acclimating slowly to the idea of our school and routine.  

We finished up with some pool time.  The 2nd is intent on learning to swim.  He's been practicing his kicking fervently.  Today is the very first day he swam unassisted for any length.  It was incredible.  

We had plans of doing grammar as well, but Fridays are for overflow.  There was enough effort today for an entire week.  We read a lot of PAW Patrol and Dr. Seuss today. The 2nd also read 5 Little Monkeys to the PS before Taekwon Do.  

June 13, 2018

We started the day well, trying to stick to our new routine:  Breakfast, get ready, chores, school. Chores are going well, though I wish I had a more expansive idea list.  The 2nd swept the floors and the PS was supposed to wipe down counters.  Then we got to the good stuff.  We made magnets and hair clips with buttons and ribbon.  

I think they turned out well.  The 2nd learned how to use pliers to remove some pieces of the buttons and hot glue safety. The PS played with magnets and began exploring those.  They are also interested in them on the fridge.  It's not a money thing (although who doesn't want to save a little?), but I think the lesson of making things you need yourself is a good one.  I think learning to make your work enjoyable is also a good one. 

On Wednesdays, we drive a while to therapy, so it gives both kids time to sit and read.  Today, the 2nd took advantage of this time by doing reading Happy Birthday, Moon to his sister in the car, and they both seemed to enjoy it. My book for them was an Ashanti legend called Talk, Talk, from the Legends From Around the World collection.  It had a lot of words per page, so I was nervous the attention spans wouldn't last, but, in fact, I stopped midway and then ended up finishing it because the 2nd asked very politely to read more.  Score.  Both kiddos had OT, but while the 2nd was in PT, the PS and I made letters and patterns with the stones.  I had no idea she could do patterns.

June 12, 2108

Real talk:  I have very little left for my kids today.  It's a strange and discouraging feeling because we checked everything we were supposed to do off today.  For some reason, I am going absolutely crazy anyway. 

Today, I hate parenting advice even more than usual.  I hate all of the ideas of "you'll miss this" and "you become your child's inner voice" and the never enough of activities and parenting and patience.  It's a bottomless pit of never going to be good enough.  I want to let everyone out there know that I love schooling my children.  More than that, I love being a mom to my children.  But today, I struggled.  I struggled with exhaustion, I struggled with anxiety, I struggled with patience, and I struggled kids who were pretty wound up.  And it's okay.  I am trying to carve out more time-outs for myself.  

  

 Our Father's day cards: You're one in a melon! We did this with friends that we are trying out for an art coop.

 The PS didn't want to sit and do school for as long as the 2nd, so I had some activities out for her: stones, felt board, and books.  Really, she wanted to go play.  I spent the school time reminding myself that routine and structure come over time.  She will acclimate over time.  Consistency is key.  Or in other words, she won't drive me this crazy everyday.

Book work today was rough after a week break (This is why I hate breaks).  Most of it was done just like this; one knee resting on the chair and the rest of his body waiting for the right moment to flee.  But we did finish a chunk of math and two grammar pages.

June 10, 2018

Today, we learned about mangoes- specifically champagne mangoes because that is what we find at the Farmer's Market. I showed them the inside and how the seed is in the middle.  The 2nd then says, "That means it's a fruit- that the seed is inside."  And then I let them touch the middle to feel the hardness.  We were also able to sneak in some lessons in nutrition.  Apparently, my kids thought because champagne mangoes are so sweet, they had to be not so good for our bodies.  Oh, my little ones.   This is exactly the kind of talk that creates the 7 Days of Learning.  Now heap on a ton of reading, and, by golly, we have a school day. 

On a personal note, now that the PS isn't going to school and the family is home so much more, our home is becoming ours.  I changed some things around and our home is becoming more usable.  We are really living in it.  We aren't the type to have a school space.  Our school space is the couch, Mama's bed, the kitchen counter, in the floor, you name it.  It's funny, I know it isn't always the case, but when I see people who have a very classroom style room for homeschool, I often think they are just starting out.  I want to give them a hug and a sticker.  I'm sure that there are many people that works for, but we're not them.  We are the type that everyone is nearby learning different pieces of many lessons. 

June 9, 2018

Saturday school is different from when I was in school.  The 2nd had a great time sorting flashcards from his Scooby-Doo books.  He got to practice with scissors, cutting them out himself.

I just finished painting a whole bunch of stones for creative play.  The PS had fun creating pictures and copying my letters with them.  A definite win.  

By afternoon, Saturdays are about finding your peace where you can and reading.  The PS is looking at a lift-the-flap Paw Patrol book.  

The 2nd is, of course, reading Scooby-Do.  How the camping chair made its way to the kitchen?  Eh, like I said, find your peace where you can.  

This, however, is my very favorite part of Saturdays.  Everyone working and creating in the same space.  Happy Saturday! 

June 8, 2018

Today, we painted. And glued. And taped.  And recycled.  I have started keeping a recycling crate in the kitchen that the kids can pull from and create.  I am trying to make clear cut rules for what needs permission and what does not.  I know paints always, always, ALWAYS need permission.  Always.  But should crayons?  I'd say no except I find marks on the the walls from crayons that made it into the bedroom.  

This is a robot that the 2nd has been wanting to build for a while.  He was in his element getting to use any medium he wanted to create.  I was happy that high dollar toys were not being
destroyed with paint and glue.






It was a happy experience because at least for a few minutes, we were all working on our own projects together.  The 2nd has been plowing through books this week.  He continues to read Scooby-Doo and Sponge Bob (not my favorite) all day long.  The PS has been asking for more books to be read to her, which I am pleased about.

June 7, 2018

I have recently done away with most of our toys.  I wish I was one of those people who could commit to throwing away anything, but I am not.  I continually wonder what if I really want this back.  I digress...

The point remains: We have gotten rid of a whole lot-to the point where when I say, "After you clean up your room," what I mean is stack the  large Waffle Blocks and put the books away."  

The waffle blocks are a happy toy.  They never played with them much when all the randoms were out.  After five or six weeks of limited toys, however, these things are the most used and loved toys ever.  The creative play is unlimited.  The 2nd and PS will work together and make castles or traps or chairs or anything they decide in the moment.  This morning after getting read to go to the pool, the PS rode into my room on her Waffle Block motorcycle.  This toy gets the seal of approval from age 2 on up.  

As I mentioned, we technically have a month break before we begin the new school year, but momentum and inertia and JUST STAY FOCUS!!  Part of the reason I have wanted to homeschool the PS id because a lack of routine means many, many more sensory problems.  This week, we have certainly taken off book-work, but we do plan to start back next week.  Balancing book-work, messy and creative work, and social work has always been a task for me.  Next week we will take another crack of balancing.  As for today, we learned through play by building with Waffle Blocks. We went to the pool and learned about friends- sometimes you must find a commonality before friendships can happen.  The 2nd also worked hard on learning to swim.  We, of course, played with slime.  We added different ingredients to hypothesize the effect they would have on the slime.  We finished up with TKD and reading.  The 2nd read Apples Up On Top to the PS tonight.  PS was reluctant to have Big Brother reading her a story, but I think with constant reinforcement, the habit will be formed.  Fingers crossed, fingers crossed

June 6, 2018

We have been able to consolidate our therapies into two days, so we went for Occupational and Physical today. We would usually be reading books, but the love of slime carried over from yesterday.

I don't know how long it will last, but I have taken a renewed interest in the kids' education through art and seemingly unrelated activities.  Slime.  Making barrettes. Paper mache.  We have an unquenchable thirst for contact and movement and colors and projects.  I am hoping we get a garden going here soon.  The past few months we've had more structure in our schooling, but the real goal is to find balance in lessons and book work and also being conscious in our lives to learn as we go, which is I changed the blog name.  I have an untested theory that a person can and should be doing what we would consider school every single day of the week.

One of the 2G's daily school tasks is to read to the PS.  He got a mountain of books the other day from a friend, and has been diving into them at all opportunities. Now, all I need is for him to read them loud enough for the PS to hear and enjoy.