Mid-Year School Update

So, what I did to simplify at the beginning of the year…is it still working??  For the most part, yes.  Being the type of person I am, I always have super high expectations.  Sometimes we meet them, sometimes we don’t.  It’s been a much better year in some regards because combining subjects for a couple kids always helps.

Still works for us:

1. The tablet.  Still believe this was a good decision.  Zeke and Graham use it for the following:

*States & Capitals review

*  Review and memorize Baltimore Catechism No. 1 & 2 questions.  Both sets are on Google Play, so the boys listen each day.

*Classical music on Google Play

*Spelling practice and tests.  I found an app!  I type in the list of words and the boys each have an account in the app.  They practice each day and are rewarded for correct answers.  The reward is linked to a game associated with the app, and they both enjoy playing.

*Math tables practice

*Kindle app on the tablet allows the kids access to  52 Art Lab (book we are using for Angelina, Zeke, Graham, and Louis).  This has been a lot of fun for the kids and I’ve enjoyed the results of their work.

2. Zeke & Graham together for Phonics (Logic of English) and Science (Exploring Creation with Zoology 1: Flying Creatures).  We finished up Zoology 1 and are into Astronomy.  It works great to have them together.

3.  Greg’s Religion and History & Literature taught by a friend.  Well, at least I KNOW he won’t fight me on doing these subjects and they are the ones he has kept on track through the year.  Why he won’t just do this in his other subjects, for me, is a mystery.

4. On cleaning.  This continues to be a struggle.  The chore chart is up and it does work…when the kids choose to refer to it. 

Needed to make a change:

1. Dropped Literary Analysis for Greg.  He made it through one semester and that is where we will end.  No matter how much I desire to have an intelligent literary discussion with my oldest, it’s just not going to happen at this time.

2. First Form Latin for Zeke is on hold.  We’ll try again next year; it was just too much.  He has an interest in and wants to learn French, as well.

3. Zeke & Graham finished their current Writing Can Help cursive books and we won’t begin another until next year.  They’ll do handwriting in the writing of their other subjects.

4. Greg decided to try wrestling.  It’s been good for him physically; he’s in better shape.  His dad and I have made it to most of his meets.  He’s pinned a few guys, which I’m sure is thrilling for him.

Monday DayLook: January 27, 2014

Looking out from my back porch... more snow than Friday, but not enough for my boys to be happy about (ie. it’s not enough to snowmobile in the fields).
I am thankful for... a sense of peace, healthy kids, a warm home (Friends in a nearby city are affected by the pipeline explosion and have been asked to keep their thermostats at 60 degrees.  The windchills make it so cold that some schools have cancelled class today and tomorrow.)
I am praying for... a better day tomorrow for Greg.  He was stuck in town over the weekend due to the blizzard and because he was gone all last week, he’s having a hard time getting back into a routine for school.  Mmmm, maybe I should just pray he finds a routine. Period.
I am hearing... honestly, one of my kids is screaming.  I think it’s a happy scream, so unless I find out otherwise, I’ll just stay right here.
I am wearing… jeans, a long sleeve pink t-shirt, and flip flops (they’re my indoor shoes, regardless of season).
From the School Room... we did not get done with everything today.  The two middle boys snuck outside and Angelina wanted to play with the youngest two; Greg….sigh.  Tomorrow is another day.
From the Kitchen... banana bread (I actually posted the recipe on my food blog – because it was just that tasty), Chocolate Cake Donuts by Zeke for National Chocolate Cake Day, and Chocolate Chip cookies by Angelina and Louis.  I think Louis mainly taught Marcus how to dip fingers in the bowl for sampling.
From the FarmYard… lots of eggs.  I’ve started sizing them.  You wouldn’t believe the Jumbo eggs some of the hens have been laying.
A successful moment… organized my school closet, office files, & pantry.  I purchases some of those vacuum space saver bags for Angelina – WOW!  5 feet of costumes, tutus and tulle condensed into mere inches.  Well worth the investment to reign in the clutter that is her closet.
A few plans for the rest of the week…
Monday: dance lessons for Angelina, wrestling practice & FFA mtg for Greg
Tuesday: wrestling practice for Greg, Zeke & Graham, Eric has meetings all week
Wednesday: wrestling practice for Greg
Thursday: wrestling practice for Greg, Zeke & Graham, dance for Angelina
Friday/Saturday/Sunday: wrestling practice for Greg, I sure hope we are able to have religious education classes this weekend,
A picture memory...

Marcus up close and in motion.

UPDATE:  I suppose this could have been a post for Febraury 27, but I thought it might be less confusing to correct the title and list January as the month!  Imperfection...indeed.

Wednesday DayLook: January 22, 2014

Looking out from my back porch... snow, fresh clean snow.  It was looking a little dirty after this weekend, so the pristine white is a much better picture.

I am thankful that... Greg is able to attend the March for Life with a group from the Diocese of Fargo. 

I am reading… quite a bit of fluff on my kindle.  Candy for the mind?  But, I’ve also been reading ‘To Kill a Mockingbird,’ courtesy of an abandoned subject that I was trying to work through with Greg.

I am praying for... improvement in a relationship and all the marchers in DC.

From the sewing/craft room (aka. laundry room!)… no crafting in quite some time.  Although, I admit to taking out the material for a new tree skirt in December (the material has been in my possession for two years already) and considered whether it was even attainable…it went back into the cupboard.

From the School Room... most kids are making progress in the majority of their subjects.

From the Kitchen... I so want to cook or bake!  It’s a creative outlet for me that hasn’t been used lately.  Truthfully, I didn’t make ANY treats for Christmas this year.  It was that kind of Advent.  When we were visiting up at my parents’, I attempted to make my favorite – Divinity – and it flopped!  For the second time in my life (the first being when I was 9yo), my batch of Divinity flopped completely.

From the FarmYard… the chickens are producing eggs regularly due to the light timer installed.

A successful moment… I’ve got a post!

A few plans for the rest of the week…
Wednesday: Enjoy the day at home and cook a ‘real’ meal.

Thursday: Trip to Fargo for a meeting & supper with a friend.  Greg arrives home from his trip.

Friday/Saturday/Sunday: Wrestling tourney for Greg.

A picture memory...

Graham, Marcus & Louis – December 2013

It’s been a long time…

What can I say?  I’ve been in survival mode and something had to give.  Giving up blogging gave me more time and my presence was needed here, in my home.  Whether I wanted to be ‘here’ or not!  And believe me, I’d have rather been somewhere else.  Somewhere quiet, sipping Chai tea, or heaven-forbid…an adult drink. 

Maybe I’d be wearing an outfit that actually flattered me (beyond jeans and an old t-shirt) or wear a bit of jewelry.  I do have jewelry, it just isn’t worn very often because I’m afraid it’ll get ripped off my neck or out of my ears.  At some point in the last few months, I decided I didn’t care if the jewelry was broken.  What good is the jewelry sitting in my drawer?  It’s meant to be worn and I plan to enjoy wearing it as long as it lasts.

Today, I scheduled a haircut.  Pretty sad that I cannot remember the last time I had my hair cut.  I can remember my last confession better; that’s a good thing, right?

So, what’s giving me the time to give a little of my time to blogging today?  One less child in school helps, the baby is older, we’re over the sickness that’s been going through the children, it’s a New Year, I’m feeling like I have something to share or give.  For the longest time, I didn’t FEEL like I had anything I could possibly give.  There just wasn’t anything there at the beginning of the day, much less at the end.

Not sure how regular I’ll be on posting, but I’m still here.  Today there is hope and I’m feeling a little more like the ‘normal’ me.