Since it is spring break and I have nothing to blog about other than the joys of painting paneling, I decided to share a homeschool day with you. This was a day last week.
Tuesday:
7:45 Ugh. I am still getting used to getting up early. I go out and say goodbye to Zac and the older kids. I check on Jack and he's still sleeping. I decide to check my email on the ipad in bed so that I don't wake Jack up.
8:15 I hear Jack get up. I decide computer time is over and take a quick shower. He spends the time saying hello to the piggies and feeding them. He's already dressed. I start a load of laundry on my way to the kitchen.
8:30 Breakfast time. I notice that Jack has two cold sores and wonder if he is coming down with something.
9:00 time to read. We head for the living room and library books. We read about dolphins, sea sponges and whales today. Were both tired this morning and dragging. The tickle monster shows up to get us up and going. I reboot the laundry while he gets his pencil box.
9:45 Time to do some seat work. Today he doesn't want to do spelling. I give him the option of doing it on the chalkboard. He doesn't want to use the chalkboard and tries a few other stalling tactics. He realizes that he's not getting out of it and starts his spelling. Today he sings We Will Rock You while working.
We do three quick language lessons. More writing work almost sends him over the edge. Time for a computer break doing Spanish. While he works on Spanish, I take the piggies out, feed the fish, and sweep the floor. After Spanish he tackles a page of math with the promise that a science project will be next. He zips through math.
For science we tackle the flour fireworks again with the right supplies. This time we have success. We even get the smoke alarm going. We update our science journals. After relighting the candle three times I decide it's time to move on.
I decide to try an art project. I bring out a couple of sea stars and have Jack pick 5 shells to bring to the table. We pull out the sketch books and get to work. I decide to trace around the sea star and other shells. Jack tries to do the same and gets frustrated. I decide it probably wasn't the day for an art project that required fine motor skills.
1:00 pm time for lunch. We eat. I wash dishes after I finish.
1:35 It's windy and I decide to bring the piggies inside. Harry escapes and goes under the deck. Jack is upset and spends the next hour trying to coax Harry out. The wind is really going now. I talk Jack back inside to take a break before dance. We'll catch Harry later when we have more hands.
2:00 Jack gets cleaned up and I let him watch Garfield. I reboot the laundry, make various attempt to catch the piggy, answer emails, research a topic for homeschool, and work on getting ready to go. I also remember to prep dinner.
2:50 School is out. The texts and phone calls start from the older kids. I check twitter for updates about practices and games tonight.I finish the dishes.
3:15 2 big kids are home. Talisa stayed after to take a test for college placement next year. We discuss practice schedules, weekend plans and dinner. Steve hears about the piggy and his mind goes to work. He goes outside and sets a trap for the piggy. Within 5 minutes Harry is back inside safe and sound.
3:30 Turn off the tv, get Jack a snack and have him get ready for hip hop class. Jack reads more Garfield on the way to class.
4:00 Get a text from Talisa saying she is done and needs a ride, perfect timing. Pick her up and head to the pet store for piggy litter and kitty supplies. This was the day before we picked up our kitty. We walk around and look at everything. Leave the store without a fish. Hey it's progress.
5:00 pick up Jack and head home. Steve can't leave for practice until I get home because he left something in my car. We get home say goodbye to Steve. Jack runs over to play with a friend. I listen to the wind howl.
5:30 Call Zac and get an estimate on when he'll be home. Start working on dinner. Field more texts and phone calls.
6:15 Zac walks in as I am finishing up dinner. We are eating in shifts tonight. Practice is late tonight and there is a game. Jack is back from playing.
7:00 I shower. Talisa leaves to watch the lax game. Jack is back watching Garfield again. He's definitely fighting off something so he gets more tv time than usual. Steve and Alex go straight to the game from practice. Zac and I take advantage of the quiet house and catch up. He's been working long hours and I've been running like crazy. Times like this seem few and far between.
8:00 Steve and Alex are back. They've had enough of the wind. Ice cream for everyone. The kids start on their showers and chores. Jack gets ready for bed. He's ready for bed early and I'm bored so we do another science project. This time we are mixing glue and shaving cream to make foam. We play for a bit and then it is time for bed.
9:00 Talisa is home from the game and we get a play by play. I read books to Jack and get him to sleep. Then it's back out to help with homework, process the days events and get everyone else on track for bed.
10:00 homework is done. The older kids are in bed on their phones- either texting watching or listening to music. The house is quieting down. I make my lists for tomorrow. Check email, facebook, and blogs. I work on gathering up anything I need for tomorrow. It will be an easy day so there isn't much.
11:30 Zac and I head to bed.
