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The Weekly Wrap-up: The Week Where We Can't Focus On Anything But Christmas




Did I already say we're having trouble focusing on school around here? Yep, it happens every year about this time.

Each year I tell myself we're going to do school until the week before Christmas and then December hits and it's just c.r.a.z.y. There's all of the decorations and the music and the holiday movies and nobody wants to think about schoolwork. Not even me:) And for some reason we've all just been so tired and moving slowly in the mornings this week, it's like our bodies are trying to go into hibernation or something.

So I very wisely didn't try to fight it. We sort of *unschooled* this week instead. I was kind of subversive about their learning..heehee

Some of the things we did were:


1. have a *Toss & Tally* tournament


2. do some math drill sheet using our cool new dry erase crayons (they love any excuse to use these!). My daughter actually proclaimed one day "I just love school, especially math!" WHAAA??? Where was my voice recorder when I needed it?!? I would so love to play that back to her day after day:)


3. begin our Jesse tree devotionals--those are just SO good! I tear up nearly every day reading them.


4. tend to our herbs in our light box for our botany study. They are really coming along! Although I want to know if you can tell what is wrong with this picture--leave me a comment if you can!


5. practice kitchen math by making our first batch of Christmas cookies. Yum-O!


6. reading, lots of reading! We are, of course, enjoying our nightly readings in The Advent Book. That is one of our favorite traditions around here. We're also currently reading through The Voyage of the Dawn Treader.

7. did a little science experiment using Mr. B's Ultimate Crystal Growing Kit. The results are still in the process, I'll keep you posted:)

8. hung out with our homeschool group for a holiday movie, cookies and cocoa.


So you can see it was a very laid-back week around here. You know how hectic this time of the year gets, so I was glad to have a little extra time to get caught up around the house.

More unschooling is planned for next week!


Comments

Kathy said…
Oh I am so glad to know we are not alone! That is exactly the kind of week we've had too ... hmmm, maybe I will just declare that we will 'unschool' for the month of December! AHHHH, I feel better already! =)
MrsKara said…
Hmmm...that basil is going to make one funny tasting pesto. However, it might be tasty in salsa!
Kari said…
So, did the cilantro jump pots or did "someone" mis-label? haha
Hee hee!

Yes, girls, the cilantro and basil seeds got mixed up! :) I got some seeds from my friend and put them in small containers until we planted them, but I obviously didn't guess right on the basil and cilantro seeds when planting.

Gonna have to relabel those!
Betsy Brock said…
It got to be nice to have education take a relaxed schedule during the holidays...and they can still learn!

Those cookies are beautiful, too!
Lisa Boyle said…
I love the activities you are doing with your children! Isn't that such a blessing of homeschooling? Your cookies look wonderful!

Thanks so much for visiting my blog and for your kind comments!
I hope you have a great weekend and I look forward to seeing what wonderful things you will do with your kids next week!

Many blessings,
Lisa
Cindie said…
Love the math facts sheet. Where did you get that and the dry erase crayons?
Mary said…
It all looks so fabulous. I love the wipe off pockets! I am off to check out your giveaway.
G said…
What a great week! I am totally in support of subversive learning ;) and I love the dry erase crayons. Your daughter's comment about loving math is too funny since my daughter has been saying that this week too!
@Cindie,

We found the dry erase crayons at Walmart. They are by Crayola.
@Cindie,

Oops, missed your 2nd question. The math facts sheets are called *Flip-Overs* by Bryan Haines, Inc. But I also print out some that I find online to use in the dry erase pockets. The dry erase pockets are some I found at Mardel's.
DeliveringGrace said…
Sounds a really good week. I laughed about the basil.
Dawn said…
I love it! What a fun way to still get school in. We are enjoying a bit more laid back routine too.
Blessings,
Dawn
Unknown said…
What a great week! I might not have been "regular school", but you sure got in a lot of fun, hands on learning! I hope the crystals work! (I was tempted to get the same kit, but havent.) And those cookies - Yum! Thanks for stopping by!
I have totally fallen in love with dry erase crayons!
PrairieJenn said…
Love your week! Isn't it great to know that we have the freedom to relax and have fun while learning?! Thanks for sharing- your photos are amazing:)
Jenny said…
Fun, special times together! I was thinking the the basil looked a little like cilantro. :) I also enjoyed looking at your Christmas decorations post! You guys know how to decorate!

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