Finding our new "normal"

In my life this week…

Life has been nice and slow, kinda, this week.  Jon and I are figuring out how evenings will look now that we are both home at the same time.  Not working has been really nice.  In fact even though it has only been a few weeks I already can't imagine going back, at least not for a while.  

In our homeschool this week…

We have been plugging a way at school.  I'm trying to get a regular routine down before activities, cousins, and field trips start popping up and interrupting.

Helpful homeschooling tips or advice to share…

Merry started All About Spelling near the end of last year, because we were so "on the go." we didn't use the tiles much.  This year I am excited to have a desk for each of the girls which fit the tiles perfectly, at least when I set out the tiles they do.

Merry on the other hand had a bit of trouble keeping her tiles in a straight line.  No matter how careful she was they still managed to get turned sideways and hide under other tiles.  Luckily in my moment of frustration a brilliant idea came to me; I put a piece of tape across her desk for her to line the letter tiles up on.  She has only had the tape for a few days but it is a huge help.  Spelling doesn't take as long, there is less playing with (arranging) tiles and, best of all, she likes having a line on her desk.

So that is my advice, if your kid has trouble with straight lines, put a piece of tape on their desk.

Places we’re going and people we’re seeing…

This weekend will be a busy one, we are looking forward to the Oregon State Fair.  Jon's internship is paying him to take pictures of a bridge so we figure we'll take a break from the city and go for a family drive.  And nothing says "Labor Day Weekend" like a family BBQ.  I'm tired (and happy) just thinking about it.  The best part... I'm not working!

My favorite thing this week was…

Starting Latin as a family.  Jon thought my idea of learning something as a family was a good.  We are using "Minimus, Starting out in Latin."  The program is pretty simple and we are taking it slow (we did half of lesson one this week.)  I loved learning Latin in highschool and am happy to be sharing my joy with my family. 

What’s working/not working for us…

What's working is our check lists, I have them divided by subject so if we don't have time to complete a math lesson (it happens) I make sure they have at least done a practice worksheet or flash cards.  And our science books have a 2 days a week suggested schedule that was too intense for my kids, having the check list helps us to get a few things (reading or worksheets or experiment or other) done each day so we stay on track.

What's not working... well there is nothing thats not working but I am seeing a need to be more active.  I am a house bum, book worm and if I'm not carful my kids will be too.  We need to see more of the out doors!

Things I’m working on…

Housework.  Now that I'm not working outside of the home I am trying to work more inside of the home.  Refrigerator needs cleaned, laundry is never caught up and I was sure I just vacuumed.  Housework is a work in progress (like Oregon's Highways, snicker, snicker)

I’m grateful for…

I have so much to be grateful to God for this year.  My husband is out of school and working.  I am able to not be working.  My family is close and care for one another.  Life is not easy but it is good right now and I thank God for that.

I’m praying for…

My mom, She is finishing up the paper work to sell her house.  I pray the bank will accept the offer so she can be done with that hassle.

A photo, video, link, or quote to share…

Charry working on Latin, we made "Quis es?" (Who are you) comics.  Pater (Dad) was even drinking Dr. Pepper and Mater (Mom) had her cell phone and her i-pod.

Hipster Merry

Merry found these "cool" sunglasses at a used book store.  Somehow she makes them work.

Our First Week of School

Last week was our official "First Week of School." (We had done some practice days the week before to make sure the set up would work.)

 We used our newly set up school room, complete with personal desks.  Underneath the desks are file boxes which hold most of their school books and notebooks.

 I surprised the girls with "Harajuku Mini" folders.  Inside is a weekly check list for each subject.  I want to keep track of how often I have them use flash cards, worksheets, activities, etc. to review concepts.

 Our school days start with calendar time.  I could not find a worksheet that I liked so I ended up making my own, a big accomplishment for me.

Along with writing out the date and keeping tally of how many day's of school there have been we are also focusing on time.  Some days I have them write the current time, other days I ask them to write an hour from now or so many minutes from now. Since all our clocks are digital, working with an analog clock is good for them.

 Besides calendar time our routine is similar to last year, a big plus this year is that our All About Spelling tiles fit perfectly on the new desks, so both girls can have them out at the same time.   That make transition time much smoother.

 We will be seeing lots of Cousin Toby and Cousin Odin again this year. They will join us as Knuffle bunny travels across the USA.

This year has started out great and I look forward to the weeks to come.