Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Three Cheers for Chapter Books!
I was laying in bed reading and Macy bounced (yes, she bounces...especially at night, that's when she has the most energy) into our room and announced, "I've finished my first chapter book, all by myself!" Wow. I was impressed. The last library visit, she asked to check out 8 chapter books and I had her pare in down to 2 thinking she'd never read them by the time they were due. We've been reading them aloud together and it takes us at least a week to get through one together, aloud. So, of course, being the Charlotte Mason fan that I am, I immediately went into "narration mode" and started asking her all sorts of questions. Wow...she really did read it! It was one of the Junie B. books. The funniest part of this whole thing is that Macy looks just like Junie B! The loose teeth, the glasses, the unkept hair...they could be twins. That isn't to be mean, it is just true. Junie is darling and my sweet Macy is double darling. So, she asked for more books to read. I sent her to her room with a shorter book (all that we had) and she returned in 45 minutes, done. Wow. Double impressed. She was so excited. After 5 minutes of narration drilling, she begged me for more books. I was so excited to be prepared! I went downstairs and came back up with a stack of books I had found at a garage sale, all for first graders. She opened up the first one and asked why I had given her a baby book. I took a closer look (I bought them as they were for first grade, they said so on the covers!) and yes, they were baby books! They were way too easy! I gave her a big hug and said "Macy, that's why we are homeschooling! You would be reading these if you went to school, but the skys the limit, you can read anything and no one tells you what level you are!" Three cheers for homeschooling! I'm encouraged! Double encouraged. Triple encouraged! It is working! She loves it! Praise the Lord. Now, if I could just get her to keep her hair neat all day...
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Whines from a homebody...
I love to stay home and stay home we do. During my early days of motherhood, I didn't quite know what to do with myself each day. I relyed on other new moms for my entertainment and spent many a happy morning at a playdate, nibbling on scones and other morning treats and drinking yummy cups of coffee. I learned alot from those women. Especially my sister. Each woman added something to my direction that I've taken in my motherhood journey.
Fast forward six years later. If I'm going to leave my sanctuary now days, I need some kind of project or learning opportunity that is going to transpire and make it worth all the hassle of getting packed up and out of the house. Whether it be a kid craft project or a book discussion, I need to have walked away thinking that a.) my kids learned something (yea! school's out for the day!) or b.) I've been inspired my someone or something that is going to make me a better mama/wife/friend/sister/daughter. Now that reads so terribly. No one is ever going to invite me anywhere again! What I really mean is that it is really hard to get out the door on time with 3 young kids. It is stressful and time-consuming. I need bang for my buck.
During the week, we're home as much as possible. I'm not one to run around to one activity after another. Two mid-week kid activities...that is the limit. Oh, and you have to be at least 5 years old to get to do the activities. Right now, Macy is involved with Pioneer Club (another version of Awana) and Girl's Club, an activity I made up to foster the love of hospitality and practical homemaking skills. Our family activities include bible study (12 kids in attendance) and church. So that is 12 days per month that social activities that are scheduled. Now add in at least 2 field trips a month (this month was the Conservatory for a "tour of the senses" and a retirement home to sing Christmas Carols and pass out gifts. Oh, I guess we went to the Children's Museum too and then there was Conner Prairie to see the Gingerbread Houses.) So, four field trips this month. So, I'm up to 16 dates on the calendar so far this month. Now, add in family fun activites. This month we went to a Christmas puppet show, a visit with Santa and his reindeer, and an "Evening in Bethlehem" production. We enjoyed a Christmas brunch with friends and are looking forward to a party next week. Okay, so we're up to 21 engagements. Perhaps December is a bit busier than other months, now that I think about it, but seriously, my point is is that the activities add up and that adds up to alot of running around/getting ready/hearding kids! Now I need to add in grocery store visits (once a week) and perhaps 2 or 3 additional errands a week. Now I'm up to 28 things on my to do list. Okay, perhaps I can do more than one thing a day, that's reasonable, but still, I wonder...how can I simplify? That's what I'm going to be thinking about between now and January 1st. Stay tuned. This mama is on a mission!
Fast forward six years later. If I'm going to leave my sanctuary now days, I need some kind of project or learning opportunity that is going to transpire and make it worth all the hassle of getting packed up and out of the house. Whether it be a kid craft project or a book discussion, I need to have walked away thinking that a.) my kids learned something (yea! school's out for the day!) or b.) I've been inspired my someone or something that is going to make me a better mama/wife/friend/sister/daughter. Now that reads so terribly. No one is ever going to invite me anywhere again! What I really mean is that it is really hard to get out the door on time with 3 young kids. It is stressful and time-consuming. I need bang for my buck.
During the week, we're home as much as possible. I'm not one to run around to one activity after another. Two mid-week kid activities...that is the limit. Oh, and you have to be at least 5 years old to get to do the activities. Right now, Macy is involved with Pioneer Club (another version of Awana) and Girl's Club, an activity I made up to foster the love of hospitality and practical homemaking skills. Our family activities include bible study (12 kids in attendance) and church. So that is 12 days per month that social activities that are scheduled. Now add in at least 2 field trips a month (this month was the Conservatory for a "tour of the senses" and a retirement home to sing Christmas Carols and pass out gifts. Oh, I guess we went to the Children's Museum too and then there was Conner Prairie to see the Gingerbread Houses.) So, four field trips this month. So, I'm up to 16 dates on the calendar so far this month. Now, add in family fun activites. This month we went to a Christmas puppet show, a visit with Santa and his reindeer, and an "Evening in Bethlehem" production. We enjoyed a Christmas brunch with friends and are looking forward to a party next week. Okay, so we're up to 21 engagements. Perhaps December is a bit busier than other months, now that I think about it, but seriously, my point is is that the activities add up and that adds up to alot of running around/getting ready/hearding kids! Now I need to add in grocery store visits (once a week) and perhaps 2 or 3 additional errands a week. Now I'm up to 28 things on my to do list. Okay, perhaps I can do more than one thing a day, that's reasonable, but still, I wonder...how can I simplify? That's what I'm going to be thinking about between now and January 1st. Stay tuned. This mama is on a mission!
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Mommy's temper tantrum
I need to tattoo this on my forehead: your children are ALWAYS watching you! Silas had a dermatologist's appointment for a little spot on his head today. We arrived at the appointment in plenty of time. The day was gloriously sunny, I treated myself to an eggnog latte on my way and the kids were all doing great (no arguing or complaining.) What could go wrong? The whole appointment. The really, really, really, really BAD customer service. The really rude receptionist, the assistant with NO clue, and the annoying doctor who we waited for for almost an hour. It was a golden opportunity to shine with the love of Jesus (be filled with love and understanding) but instead I got a bad attitude, yelled at the kids and pretty much acted like a 17 year old who didn't get her way. The kids never said anything, but I know they were watching me, and learning. Soaking in my reactions. Dissecting my every move. It's hard being in the spotlight everyday. I so fall short. I'll try to do better, kiddos!
BTW: The spot on Silas' head is a birthmark, the doctor recommended having it removed before puberty as this type of birthmark can become cancerous in later life.
BTW: The spot on Silas' head is a birthmark, the doctor recommended having it removed before puberty as this type of birthmark can become cancerous in later life.
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Six outfits...two days.
Having a sick baby is sad. Silas woke up from his afternoon nap yesterday fussy with a gurgly tummy. It didn't take long for the pre-nap bottle to come up...all over me. He waited until I changed into outfit #2 to cover me again with yet another round of curdled milk. So, today's homeschool lessons were put on the back burner and the Christmas movies I recorded were presented with cheers from Macy and Wil while I sat cuddled in the softest of blankets with my sweet but sick baby. As I write this, I'm in outfit #6. It's a freaky one...my flannel pj bottoms and a sweater than I never wear because I feel ugly in it. I didn't manage a shower, so I smell of half-digested curdled milk that managed to seep through outfit #5 onto my bra. The house is a mess...games and puzzles we did after the movie never got put away and the lunch and dinner dishes are still waiting for me. But hey, it was a good day...a good day because we didn't have anything scheduled and we didn't have to go anywhere. A good day because Macy learned how to take care of a sick baby. A good day because my kids are learning how to be flexible and sympathetic. A good day because we're learning to help each other out. A good day because we got to be together.
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