Learning notes 1/27/12, and weekly wrap up link-up

Today I'm linking up to the Weekly Wrap-Up over at Weird, Unsocialized Homeschoolers, just for fun!

Monday:

• We had terrible storms last night, which means I didn't get a whole lot of sleep.  Today was mostly a recuperation day.  The kids played, typed, played, watched some TV, colored, drew, made flags, and played.  I kept track of nothing. : )

Tuesday:

• The kids (including Em!) did their morning chores and then I sent them out to play.  I'm thinking this will be a part of our new routine, which I'm still working out!
• we read TJSBB.
• IW did his lessons (math, handwriting, reading) while QL and Em played playdoh.
• IW joined in the playdoh fun when he was finished, and Em watched an episode of Wild Kratts.
• IW and QL got out their Paula Deen cookbook, and used playdoh and kitchen utensils to make a few recipes.
• Em watched Octonauts, and IW and QL joined him.

Wednesday

•  IW asked if we could start reading his new devotional in the morning, so we read it during breakfast.
• After morning chores the big kids went outside to play.  Em played in his room with his animals, and then downstairs with cars.
• At snack time the kids came in and we read TJSBB, then the boys played while QL and I did lessons.  This got a little hairy, and is, quite frankly, why I prefer a relaxed approach over “school at home”.  At one point, IW was being disciplined for playing too loudly so that I couldn’t even hear QL reading aloud right next to me.  Then Em decided to try to poo in his pants while Jo decided she was STARVING.  All the while QL wants to do her lessons NOW because she loves doing them.  I seriously almost sat down and cried.  Ever tried to wipe a 3 year old’s rear end while feeding a 20 lb six month old a bottle?  But we got through it.
• QL read to me from one of our Dr. Suess Beginner Readers compilations.  Then she did a little phonics (-lt, -lk), which she just loves.  Next we practiced handwriting.  We’re just going to go through the alphabet to see what she needs to practice because it has been that long.  IW joined us to do Singapore Math 1A, because “her math looks funner”.  They did the lesson U4D3 from BLHFHG, and pgs 34-35 in the math workbook.
•  I gave the kids the pilgrim house sticker books from Dover, which they played with while I read from Stories of the Pilgrims.  We read about Miles Standish’s sword.

Thursday

• We read devotions at breakfast.
• QL worked on her Big Woods lapbook.
• Em played with our pioneer and wild west toobs.
• We watched an episode of Man Woman Wild.
• IW chose not to do lessons when it was time, so he sat on his bed for a while.
•  IW did Copywork from our church flyer this week.  When he came to the word salvation, he asked how the T says /sh/ when there is no SH in the word.  We had a little phonics lesson about –tion and –ion.
•  IW worked on his Big Woods lapbook.
• QL played computer games downstairs.
• This afternoon we read some of the science textbook that came with BLHFHG and the kids wrote/drew in their science notebooks.
• Em took a nap.  (weird)

Friday 

• QL wanted to work on her lapbook before breakfast.  Yesterday I worked on a bunch of the mini-books, and I guess seeing them kindled her enthusiasm!
• IW read a Lightening McQueen comic book.
• Back to the table for lapbooks.
• IW played games:  yahtzee, and camp.
•  Em played with his animals and dinosaur puzzles.
• We did our devotions and read TJSBB at snack time.
•  Both big kids worked on their lapbooks.  We’re trying to finish them before we begin reading Farmer Boy again.
• After a whole morning of whining, I took Em’s temperature.  Yep, he has a fever.  It’s on the couch for him.
• Turns out QL has a fever too.  I was hoping to delve into Artistic Pursuits, but now I don’t know if it’s going to happen today. : (

I couldn't decide which one I liked better.......

so you get to see them both!

Reading.  For fun.  On his own.  Miracle of miracles!

Even when she doesn't feel good...smiles!

His favorite, favorite, favorite past time right now!

Epiphany

Have you ever had an epiphany?  One of those that just seems to slap you upside your head, like “Hello! I’ve been here all along!  Way to finally figure it out!”

I had one of those today.

I’ve been writing these posts about routines, and plans for character development, and my issues with angry outbursts.  And then this morning, it all came together.

I’ve wanted to put together a study of character qualities for the kids for a while, but now I can see that I really need to do it for me.  So that means that we get to do it together!  (How obvious is that by the way?)  As brothers and sisters, trying to walk in faith.  Not as mom telling kids to behave this way or that way.

One of the reasons I haven’t moved forward with the CQ studies for the kids is because I didn’t know where to begin. As I’ve said before, I tend to become paralyzed when I don’t have a solid plan.  Fear of failure makes me freeze.  (How’s that for alliteration?!?!)

The other day I wrote a post about Colossians 3, and how Paul tells us to get rid of the nasty things in our life, and to put on the Christ-like qualities.

Does that sound like a plan to you?  Because it does to me.

So today I sat down and wrote down the positive character qualities from Colossians 3, and then added the missing ones from Galatians 5 (the fruits of the Spirit).

Compassion

Kindness

Humility

Gentleness

Patience

Forgiveness

Love

Peace

Gratefulness

Joy

Goodness

Faithfulness

Self control

I’ve decided to start with gratefulness first.  We all used to keep gratitude journals, and I’d like to get back to that.  Then we’ll do gentleness.  That one is for me.  Then self control.   Because, can’t we all use just a bit more of that?

I don’t know for sure how long it will take to do each study.  I’m thinking maybe 2 weeks?  I’m just going to go for it with these three studies, see how they go, and assess when they’re done.  And try not to succumb to the fear of not doing it right.

Because what I’m doing right now isn’t working so great anyway.

More books I've bought

Some new books have arrived that haven’t been reported….er, posted.

Learning all the Time  by John Holt

Homeschooling Gifted and Advanced Learners by Cindy West

The Story of the Pilgrims coloring books and Pilgrim House sticker books, both from Dover Publications.

 

The books below are ones I've ordered for my kindle.  The last 3 were free, but I listed them anyway, so I'll remember to read them.  

Yes, I do realize that this is starting to look like an addiction.  Don't judge me.

	One Bite at a Time: 52 Projects for Making Life Simpler	Oxenreider, Tsh
	A Million Miles in a Thousand Years: How I Learned to Live a Better Story	Miller, Donald
	Fifteen Minutes Outside: 365 Ways to Get Out of the House and Connect with Your Kids	Cohen, Rebecca P.
	Mindset for Moms: From Mundane to Marvelous Thinking in Just 30 Days	Martin, Jamie C.
	Aunt Phillis's Cabin Or, Southern Life As It Is	Eastman, Mary H. (Mary Henderson)
	Sabbath in Puritan New England	Earle, Alice Morse
	Letters from America	Brooke, Rupert

a matter of habit: the fruit of the Spirit

 I am in this place of wondering.  Wondering about anger.  And self-control.

What do you do when you don’t have the good sense to put a piece of tape over your mouth to hold in all the ugliness that wants to come spilling out?

I read once that anger in itself is not a sin.  It’s the what comes next that can be sinful.  How a person handles him or herself when they are angry.   I’m coming to the understanding that, at least for me, this is a matter of habit.

I fail daily.  

I know that I’m not the only one, and this is not a “beat myself up over my failure” session.  This is a “man, I really don’t like this and want to change it” session.

So I’m pondering.

I’ve read (or heard) that the only way to change a habit is to replace it with a new one.

A couple of months ago, I read Colossians3, and it really stuck with me.  Paul tells us, more or less, that Christ saved us, so now we should stop acting like jerks.  For this, my particular issue today, he says:

⁸ But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.

Don’t do that.  Okay, got it.  But now what?

 (That Paul, he just knew I was going to ask!)

 ¹² Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. ¹³ Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. ¹⁴ And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.  ¹⁵ Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 

So we’re supposed to do this.

Don’t do those.   Do these.

Get rid of those.  Put these on.

So, I have to replace my habit of angry reactions with a new habit. 

But how in the world do you put on these other qualities?  Is the putting on simply in the doing? (Although, the doing is not all that simple or else we’d all be doing it all the time.)

CLOTHE yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.  Forgive.  PUT ON love.  Let peace rule.  And be thankful.

Paul states this like it’s so simple. 

To be continued……

A Day Late Daybook : )

Do you want to do a daybook?????  Go here to join in!


This half was done Monday!


Outside my window... gorgeous sunshine and 68 degrees. It's so beautiful it's a little hard to believe.  It was so stormy and scary last night.


I am thinking...  about baby shots.  Jo has a well check this afternoon, and I know that she will be miserable for a few days. 


I am thankful... for my new nephew!  My sister-in-law gave birth to a BEAUTIFUL baby boy last night! 


In the kitchen... This is my least favorite question.  We'll leave it at that.


I am wearing... comfy clothes!  Always.  But I am gonna pretty up for the Dr. appointment this afternoon ; )



I am creating... a vacation plan.  We need some fun.  Desperately.  Next weekend we're going to spend some time just liking each other.


I am going...  to the doctor, then to the post office to mail the rest of the bassinet for little baby Dane (isn't that a cool name?).  I also need to do some grocery shopping.  *sigh*


I am wondering... if I should buy a gym membership.  It's time to do something about this baby weight.


I am reading... Teach Your Own by John Holt.  I just finished The Relaxed Home School by Mary Hood.  I really want to pick up something light for fun this week.


This half was done today (Tuesday)!

I am hoping... to finish working out a new chore routine today.  I'm also hoping to get a new lesson routine done.


I am looking forward to...  having Husband home this weekend.  We're going to have fun.  Whether we like it or not! : )


I am learning.....  I'm going to get out our puppy training video so I can teach Buddy a few things.  So I guess I'm learning how to teach a puppy some manners!


Around the house... same ol' same ol'.  Living and learning.  Trying to work some more loving into the mix.


I am pondering...  at this moment, nothing.  Maybe what to make for lunch.  Not that exciting, is it?


A favorite quote for today... "I am not a pea-oh!" (pillow).  ~Em.


One of my favorite things... my teapot.  We're becoming good friends!


A few plans for the rest of the week:(written Monday)   Husband's coming back home this afternoon so that I can take Jo to the doctor.  Having another evening with him feels exciting!  We have a playdate planned for Wednesday, and then hopefully we'll have a little bit of a getaway this weekend.


A peek into my day...  These are both from Jo's doctor appointment Monday.

QL decided to wear a green shirt with a monkey on it because 1) green is daddy's favorite color, and 2) daddy thinks monkeys are funny! *love*

Because, clearly, chewing on only one thing at a time is just not enough.  (PS, she's in the 97th percentile for both weight and height.  Big, big girl!)

Working on a New Routine, Part 2

A few weeks ago, I really started putting some thought into a new routine in our home.  My biggest struggle with this so far is coming up with something that is structured enough to let us know what comes next, but flexible enough to leave space for the unexpected.  

For example, right now IW and QL are in the kitchen cooking up recipes out of one of their kids’ cookbooks.  We’ve had this particular cookbook for more than a year, maybe two, and only in the last few days have they really shown interest in it.  IW has had it out several times.  And now they are using my cooking/baking utensils and playdoh to “make” several dishes.

My plan for this time was to be reading about the pilgrims and to check out the pilgrim coloring books we just got from Dover Publications.

I just can’t go in there and tell them to stop what they’re doing.  And this is why:

*They are working together.  As a team.  In a friendly way.  They are being encouraging to one another.  This is a big deal. 

*They are reading the recipe, and working it out, with playdoh, but still.  They are learning the difference between a dry measure and a wet measure.  They are learning about 1 cup vs. ¼ cup.  They are learning the difference between tablespoon and teaspoon. Etc. etc.

*They are doing this ALL BY THEMSELVES.  I learned a long time ago that my type A personality can quash enthusiasm faster than you can say …….well, some really short word.  I get caught up in the mess and doing things “right” (notice that theme running through this blog), so I know better than to even go in there unless they ask for help.  Then I dispense help and quickly get out again. 

 

*They are crazy enthusiastic in that kitchen right now.  I hear laughter and giggling.  I hear "Bon appetit!" And each time they ask if they can use something (wet measuring cup, skillet, etc), and I say yes, QL says “I can’t believe we’re really doing this!!!!”  Those exclamation points really don’t do her excitement justice.  The kids are loving this!

So, I just can’t waltz in there and say “Sorry tiny people.  As awesome as this is, you must stop at once and come learn about pilgrims.  I have spoken.”  Of course I wouldn’t really say that last part, but that’s how I would feel.  Like I’m the dictator of the house and they are my peasant people.

There are definitely times when “I have spoken” has to be used, and respected.  Is this one of those times????  Seriously, I’m asking.  Because this is what I just can’t figure out.  How do I give them the freedom to have awesome moments like the one they’re having right now, yet still have structure and plans?  Because I am most definitely not a "no structure, no plans" person.  Most definitely.

This kind of feels like a "cake and eat it too" situation.  Yes, I want my cake, and I want to eat it.  And I want that for my kids.   And I kind of think that in terms of homeschooling, it might be possible, if I can just figure it out.

Any suggestions?