Journal 3/16/12

In my life this week… 

 I had such an awful week, emotionally.  I was in a funk and I could not get myself out of it.  I didn't do any laundry, I let the dishes stack up in the kitchen, and I didn't care to do any cleaning.  It was bad.  Thank goodness I am out of it now. The cleaning bug may not have stung me yet, but at least I am doing laundry again and getting the house in order.  I do it begrudgingly, but at least it is getting done.

In our homeschool this week… 

 This week we started our fourth quarter.  We have finished up all the kindergarten curriculum I had bought, so we are doing other things now.  I am having Sebastian work through a 1st grade math book (he has already completed three units- things he already knew so it was review). We are also working on digraphs and reading sentences fluidly.  I am focusing on his handwriting and making sure he knows how to form each letter (and number).  He is trying to write too fast and is forgetting how to form certain letters and numbers (2, n, h, a are some bad ones).  I have introduced the concept of long vowels and silent e.  He understands it, but I want to finish our digraphs before I move too far into the long vowels.

I am getting organized to start "Tot School" with Kaelyn soon.  We have done come sensory bins together, but starting this summer (when the summer session starts) I want to start doing some planned lessons with her.  Nothing too crazy- mostly working on her motor control, following directions, and expanding her vocabulary.  As she gets older I will add more in.  I am very excited to start this with her!

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

Tomorrow is my husband's 30th birthday!  Woohoo!  I am so glad he turns 30 before me.  It helps me cope with it, lol.  We already celebrated his birthday by going to Great Wolf Lodge a couple weeks ago, so this weekend we are playing some games with friends and otherwise having a fun, low-key time. No more crazy parties for us.

My favorite thing this week was… 

 Watching Sebastian read a book to his father.  It does my heart good to know that he is learning!

What’s working/not working for us… 

 Sebastian was hating handwriting practice.  I started having him spell out the words, I would write them in highlighter, and he would trace over the letters.  Now he likes handwriting practice (especially when I have him write words like jedi, sword, Star Wars, etc.)

Things I’m working on… 

Even though there are certain things I make Sebastian do every day (phonics time, math time) I let him guide me in other subjects.  He loves to work out in the garden and he is helping me plan our vegetable garden this year.  He loves to read about animals, especially giraffes, and can spend hours at the library.  Learning is usually very fun here.  Our problems turn up when I make him stop doing something in order to do phonics work.  I had been doing a good job of having fun activities to start the day, but I have exhausted my ideas at this point.  I need to do some more brainstorming, and start reusing some of the ideas I have used in the past.

I’m reading… 

 Matthew is reading Jeremy Thatcher, Dragon Hatcher by Bruce Coville to Sebastian at night right now.  It is a hit with Sebastian!  I wanted to finish the Inheritance Cycle by Christopher Paolini, but I can't get myself to start the last book.  I think the finality of it is putting me off.  That is why I still haven't read The Final Battle in the Narnia series. I just can't bring myself to end it.  Maybe one day, just not today.

I’m cooking… 

 This weekend I will be making Pineapple Fried Rice and Chicken with Mustard Cream Sauce. Not on the same day, mind you.  These are just two recipes I found on The Pioneer Woman's website, and I love Ree. She has some amazing recipes my family enjoys and I love to add more of them to my culinary arsenal.

I’m grateful for… 

 Friends that help me get out of the emotional funk I have been in all week.  Apparently all I needed was an afternoon at McDonald's to blow off some steam. (and a good workout.)

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

During one of the most beautiful days this week, the kids were working on the flower bed for me. I love this spring weather. I want to keep it forever.