Second half of the school year

Just wondering how everyone made out the first half of the year. If you've had to make any changes for the second half of the year.

We are making some changes. Rearranging our schedule a bit. I was trying to do a little science and history everyday but that isn't working. Will devote two days to history and two to science so we can do more things.

Also figured out I had taken the fun out of school by not doing projects and hands on stuff-was too worried about getting the workbook done. So, I've changed that around a bit too. I'm going to switch around weeks of doing activities. Like this week, we're studying Westard expansion in history so we'll be doing some fun stuff with that-building a wagon from a kit I got from www.bitsandpieces.com and drying apples and such. By the way, check out the website if you like puzzles-they are wonderful! In science, we'll be finishing our animals lessons. Next week, we move onto book work in history and we'll be doing experiments with levers and pulleys in science. I'm hoping this will make things a little easier.

Any ideas or thoughts? How do you do things?

Arghhh! Glub, glub, glub, gasp! I'm drowning in basketball! This month and next month are basketball overload. My boys have two practices a week and two games a week. Also, they are each coaching the Jr. High teams which have two practices and at least one game a week. We are happy to get the basics done right now and hoping to catch up in March. Enthusiasm for school is at an all-time low here. I'm just telling them to finish well.

Oh, I'm so sorry. We haven't started the basketball thing yet. I have three kids signed up for it-I must be nuts with a newborn and all. Luckily, its not far to go, since its all on base.

We were going to do much better this week, then my son got strep and threw a wrench in that plan. I'm hoping tomorrow and Friday will be better.

Take care, Mrs. Lee!!

Thanks, hope your son is well too, and that it doesn't (whispers) spread.

I didn't know you homeschool, MrsLee :)

January marks my first attempt to hs three at once. In the past, I did no formal K program, but my youngest boy is ready to read, so I added his phonics lessons to the mix. Once he gets going, its okay. Now keeping the two-year-old occupied is the tricky part.

The older two are doing okay, especially my oldest who does the most. She's the most bookish at 9 yrs.

Hi there monicabrandywine :) I think I saw a reference somewhere in the dragon about you mentioning homeschool, but didn't have time to follow up on it then. Of course after that I forgot! Anyway, glad to see you here!

In some ways I miss those days you are in right now. Your children actually think you know something! Right now I think I could teach my teens better with a bat than a book. :D That's not said to make you dread the future, only to enjoy the present. I do remember the days of teaching my little ones as being physically exhausting, but a whole lot of fun. Hope you are loving it.

Ha. They think I'm too bossy. Do this math page, read this book to me, blah, blah. Some days are easy, some days I want to hide (Green Dragon MB!) Thankfully, there are more productive days.

I can't wait for teenagers! Bring 'em on, I say.

LOL! Just remember those words!

Toddlers and elementary kids have their set of troubles and teens have theirs. At least with the teens, I can be alone at one end of the house and I don't have to worry somebody is trying to make microwave popcorn in the toaster oven!! (Ack! That's the handiwork of the 8-year-old boy.)

Before the sleepover the other night, I might have agreed with you, but after finding out that one son poured melted candle wax on a friends arm and my couch, and the other brought out the staple gun as a toy to shoot at friends, I'm not so sure! Just when you think they are starting to show some intelligence... Anyway, at least I don't have to host any sleepovers for a long time to come. :)
On the other hand, they drive themselves to most of their events now, and on the other hand, they drive themselves to most of their events now. Yikes!

My two middle girls are almost seven and four and a half. One day, I found them trying to make daddy a banana cake. They had sugar, a banana and two eggs in a bowl that they were going to mix into a cake for him. I threw it out and we made something else, however, now I think I should have let daddy enjoy that-yum, yum.

Another day, there were underneath the kitchen table spoonfuls of chocolate chips and sugar. Another yummy snack.

Cutting hair and drawing on every piece of furniture is another favorite.

Oh, and do your girls change clothes fourteen times a day? My goodness, I'm constantly doing laundry it seems. How do women with many kids (I have only four) do all this laundry? I just want to know the secret!! I'll pay good money for it-well okay a quarter.

I know the teenage years will be difficult too. I pray everyday for peace with my kids, for patience and understanding, the strength to be a good mother. Sometimes it works, somedays, I'm a screaming crazy lady-at least that's what I see in the mirror.

Blessings to both of you!! Its good to know I share the wonderful blessing of kiddos with others!!

What is that prayer? God give me patience, and I want it right now! :)

Of course we all know we wouldn't trade our kids for anything (at least most days), but isn't it fun to whine with each other a bit?

yes, I need my friends, esp. my hs online ones. you understand exactly what it's like.

Mrs. Lee, you win: teens are more work than toddlers!!

#13 - Well, what's the prize? :D Don't fret though, because you will be on the winning team before you know it! I like to think of parenting as a roller coaster ride. Sometimes a slog uphill, sometimes a thrill going down, sometimes a breath catcher in the middle, but a great deal of satisfaction when you can climb off the "parent" ride and see them functioning on their own as adults in the world. Very simplistic, but I have a headache today. Not my kids fault.

feel better; eat chocolate