(delivering Girl Scout cookies)This week flew by for us~how about you? In fact, I found myself wishing for uninterrupted days at home. That didn't happen a single day this week. Oh well, there's always next week, right?
Monday came bright and early and we were able to get some school work done before The Princess and I took off to meet up with her Girl Scout troop (all fellow homeschoolers) to deliver the cookies they were donating to our Crisis Center for Women. The girls enjoyed their excursion~especially since it included lunch at McDonald's.
(Lego Action Contraption class at co-op)Tuesday came ridiculously early as we were off on a road trip for the day to Oklahoma and Missouri. You can read all about it here. I attempted some school work in the car, but there was only a little accomplished.
Wednesday was a much more productive day, but still full of interruptions. I find that it's so hard to gain any momentum in the afternoons and if those mornings are a loss then the whole day is nearly a loss. Please say I'm not the only one who has this problem!
(Lego Action Contraption class at co-op)Thursday morning our area's big children's consignment sale began so my mom and I hit that~using the divide and conquer technique, because you need it at those things! We were very successful, too, and I've now got the majority of the kids' summer clothing for a fraction of the cost. Do you like to buy clothes for your children at consignment sales? We love them!
We did have a productive time of school that afternoon~thank goodness! I should mention that this week we mostly played catch-up on our school schedule from last week. But that's okay, we're getting right back on track. I think it's better to take things a little more slowly to get back into our schedule rather than trying to cram so much into a day or two and frustrate us all.
We did have a productive time of school that afternoon~thank goodness! I should mention that this week we mostly played catch-up on our school schedule from last week. But that's okay, we're getting right back on track. I think it's better to take things a little more slowly to get back into our schedule rather than trying to cram so much into a day or two and frustrate us all.
Friday brought our second week of Spring Co-op classes with our homeschool group. It was a full morning of group pictures, Legos and puppet-making.
(Mr. B's puppets)
(The Princess' puppets)The kids had a blast making puppets in their crafts class. They each made a sock puppet and a paper bag puppet. Then they created puppet shows for the class~very cute!
(my puppet)I even got in on the fun and made a puppet. Crafts are so addicting, aren't they? I love to join in!
(picnicking at the park)After co-op classes were over we headed over to a favorite area park for a picnic lunch and play time with our co-op friends. I think we're going to make this a regular after-co-op thing for at least through the Spring. It was fun hanging out and talking with the other moms!
(Mr. B's sandwich *cake with candles*)We wrapped up things by taking the kiddos to redeem some of their free ice cream coupons at Braum's from their reading program. I love reading programs!
(reading rewards: free ice cream!)I love participating in co-op~and the kids really love it!~but as you can see from this wrap-up, no school work gets done at home when co-op is in the morning. So starting next week I will be planning a bit better for that through the end of April.
We did have one more field trip planned for tomorrow (Sat), but we have decided that a day of rest at home is in order. No places we have to be, no commitments, just some stuff around the house and some relaxation. We all need it! It's been a bit of a rough week.
I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!!
10 comments:
Funny to see you on a picnic...we got four inches of snow last night. It's going to be a while before we take any picnics!
Looks like a fun week! You have some great homeschooling resources in your area - I'm so jealous!
Stacy
I have to comment b/c I am just like you! Most weeks we begin the week with a blank calendar and with me saying we're going to stay home every day and get ALL this school work done. Most weeks that never happens! Things always pop up and some times I get so discouraged when we don't 'stay on track'. I also feel the same about the structure of the day - and when we don't get stuff done right away it seems like the whole day slips away and the kids are too distracted in the afternoon and not wanting to sit and focus.
But then I look at your week and think that your kids are still having lots of amazing 'learning' experiences even if they aren't 'book work' and I think - you know what, it's not so bad to have flexibility in our schedules.
Think about why so many kids hate school - b/c they sit at a desk in a classroom being told to be quiet for the better part of 6-7 hours. Our kids are enjoying so much more of the world around them and loving school b/c of it!
Another blessing I'm realizing lately is that we don't have to fill in every blank, check every box and finish every worksheet - so even when we get a little behind, we can quickly catch up by simply allowing them to do only what needs to be done and not so much repetition.
Anyway, I think your week looks like a lot of fun ... we have some field trips this coming week so I'm sure my coming week will look much like yours. I'm so glad to have other Moms like yourself who are right where I'm at, right now when I need the encouragement.
Hope you have a wonderfully relaxed weekend!!! =)
Wow, what a busy week! Braums..mmmm. Are you in MO? My sister lives in Ozark, MO and I love Braums. Yummy. I am a little jealous of your picnic and sunshine. I know our's will get here...eventually!
Hi Lora! After reading your previous post you had been on my mind. I wanted to let you know that I have been praying for you and your family in this transitional period!
Blessings, Lori
I'm jealous of your picnic at the park! We're anxious to start exploring our parks again...but there's still SO much snow! Stopping by from Weekly Wrap-up!
Jessy
@Kathy:
I'm glad to know I'm not the only one who can't get anything done in the afternoons!:) At least not schoolwork, right?
And, yes, I've had that same realization recently and have stopped making them do every single exercise on every single page in their workbooks. Sometimes we skip them if it's something they have down well, and sometimes I have them just do the exercise verbally~they really enjoy that.
We have really been enjoying our field trips lately~I know you'll enjoy the ones you've got planned!
@cahanbury:
We live in Arkansas, so there are quite a few Braums here. It's good stuff! We love to buy their milk, too.
@Lori:
THANK YOU! That means a lot!
We've been homeschooling for more than a dozen years, and I agree. With younger children the afternoons are often 'useless' in terms of formal homeschooling. But they are great for mud puddles, dolls, k'nex, reading, baking, and so many other important things!
You've had a wonderful week!
Annie Kate
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