This was our first "official" week as homeschoolers. Why? No monumental occasion, just that my planner started on June 1, so it seemed a good time. We're planning to be year-rounders, sticking to something akin to a 4 weeks on, then 1 week off schedule. What's really nice about this is that the world aligns perfectly to then give me two weeks for soon-to-be-Auntie N's bridal shower and Thanksgiving, and also a two week break for Uncle F and Auntie N's wedding! Even nicer, it gives us a week break every month, PLUS an extra week floating around whenever we want to use it. That puts our school year at 195 days, which means we have 15 days over the regular school year to have sick days, take off on birthdays, or go on impromptu field trips. I love this already. If LP were in regular school this year, we wouldn't be able to go to Thanksgiving OR the shower, and we'd be pushing it to go to the wedding. We certainly couldn't take two weeks for both of them. Then add in that March break does NOT line up with Easter, and there's a lot of family holidays we'd be missing because LP needs to be in school. As it stands, we're able to schedule our breaks whenever we want them, and it's Mighty Convenient!
End of week one.
Week 1 taught me several things.
1) Play Dates in the middle of the school week, while epic fun, are a bitch to make up for. There is no way to do anything resembling lessons after spending the morning with friends, so the day is a write-off. Then, I have to try to accomplish things one day off - so technically, while today is our Friday, we'll finish the actual activities for the week tomorrow.
2) Trying to get anything serious done after preschool SUCKS. Like, MASSIVELY sucks. I had today designed to be a quick-review day, and mostly playing games, because I figured trying to get anything done after the morning was spent in preschool would be difficult. I did NOT expect a 45 minute meltdown over a cookie - a cookie that he didn't even want, mind you - nor did I expect his math lesson to be like pulling teeth - he's usually gung-ho for his math. o.O;;
3) We are completely able to do this. This whole homeschool gig will be totally workable for us. It may not always be easy, it may not always be games, but it is certainly do-able. I am very excited for what this year may bring!
Showing posts with label holidays. Show all posts
Showing posts with label holidays. Show all posts
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Friday, December 3, 2010
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!
Last night, we went to Apple Land Station.
For reference, we love Apple Land Station. We went several times in the fall to go apple picking, and we got our pie pumpkins for $1.50 (would have been $5 in the store) and our jack-o-lantern for $5 (as it was a 30+ pound pumpkin, it would have cost an arm and a leg in the store). I got a whole lot of wonderful applesauce and canned apples from visiting there, and when I found they sold live trees, I was thrilled. I've had so much good experience with them, I absolutely want to stick with them for whatever we can.
Anyhow, we went to Apple Land Station. We paid about $10 more for our tree than we would have buying a tree from in front of the grocery store. However, we also got to support a local tree grower, and our favorite local farm. Plus, we got a lesson in tree choosing, the primary reason to go with a fir tree as opposed to a spruce or a pine, he taught basic tree care and maintenance, pounded it out, took off the bottom inch of the tree, and hoisted it then tied it to the car for us. All the while, we chatted about the canning and baking I do, how I found the farm for trees, the ecological impact of artificial versus real trees, how real trees aren't as big a Bad Thing as people seem to think, considering that the farmers grow the trees with the express purpose of selling them, and that for each tree cut down, a new tree is planted. By the time we left with our beautiful balsam fir tree on our car, we had made an almost friend. As in, he hugged LP and I, and shook Skeeve's hand as we left, and I feel like I should send a thank-you card.
Anyhow, much traffic later, we had a tree in our living room, and in our new tree-stand. It didn't take much work at all to get it in the stand and secured, nor to keep it standing up straight. We got it watered right away, and then put our lights on. Once that was done, we plugged it in, then sat down with LP to work on ornaments. This year, LP is making our ornaments. I cut out construction paper circles and stars, and he's coloring them. Then we'll save one at the end of the year, laminate it, and put it up next year along with a new batch of drawn ornaments. I may make a mitten for the tree, if I can get the rest of the garland mitts done.
Either way, we have a beautiful tree, it's half decorated, but it is ours, and it is beautiful. When LP woke this morning, we came downstairs and the first thing he asked me was "Lights on onna tree?" Every chance he gets, if the lights are off, he asks to turn them on. It is a beautiful tree, I love it, LP loves it, even Skeeve is kinda happy with it, which for Skeeve and a tree? Big Deal. I'm so excited, and it's been a very long time since I've been excited for the holidays.
For reference, we love Apple Land Station. We went several times in the fall to go apple picking, and we got our pie pumpkins for $1.50 (would have been $5 in the store) and our jack-o-lantern for $5 (as it was a 30+ pound pumpkin, it would have cost an arm and a leg in the store). I got a whole lot of wonderful applesauce and canned apples from visiting there, and when I found they sold live trees, I was thrilled. I've had so much good experience with them, I absolutely want to stick with them for whatever we can.
Anyhow, we went to Apple Land Station. We paid about $10 more for our tree than we would have buying a tree from in front of the grocery store. However, we also got to support a local tree grower, and our favorite local farm. Plus, we got a lesson in tree choosing, the primary reason to go with a fir tree as opposed to a spruce or a pine, he taught basic tree care and maintenance, pounded it out, took off the bottom inch of the tree, and hoisted it then tied it to the car for us. All the while, we chatted about the canning and baking I do, how I found the farm for trees, the ecological impact of artificial versus real trees, how real trees aren't as big a Bad Thing as people seem to think, considering that the farmers grow the trees with the express purpose of selling them, and that for each tree cut down, a new tree is planted. By the time we left with our beautiful balsam fir tree on our car, we had made an almost friend. As in, he hugged LP and I, and shook Skeeve's hand as we left, and I feel like I should send a thank-you card.
Anyhow, much traffic later, we had a tree in our living room, and in our new tree-stand. It didn't take much work at all to get it in the stand and secured, nor to keep it standing up straight. We got it watered right away, and then put our lights on. Once that was done, we plugged it in, then sat down with LP to work on ornaments. This year, LP is making our ornaments. I cut out construction paper circles and stars, and he's coloring them. Then we'll save one at the end of the year, laminate it, and put it up next year along with a new batch of drawn ornaments. I may make a mitten for the tree, if I can get the rest of the garland mitts done.
Either way, we have a beautiful tree, it's half decorated, but it is ours, and it is beautiful. When LP woke this morning, we came downstairs and the first thing he asked me was "Lights on onna tree?" Every chance he gets, if the lights are off, he asks to turn them on. It is a beautiful tree, I love it, LP loves it, even Skeeve is kinda happy with it, which for Skeeve and a tree? Big Deal. I'm so excited, and it's been a very long time since I've been excited for the holidays.
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
A very busy day.
Today was a very busy day!
We got up, and had to wake LP to get into the car (I know, sleeping babies and the lie-ing of them) so we could head out for an hour's drive to a theater that had Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part I playing - with a Reel Babies program. Reel Babies is a program that is only in place at specific theaters, but it's no low lights, less volume, and plus a microwave, change table, swing, exersaucer, all that stuff. It's designed for parents who are going to be at the theater with their little kids. So we went off to the movies! The three of us went, we got popcorn, a Bucket O' Coke, a KitKat, and a bag of Nibs for LP. Our out of pocket cost on the whole thing? $2.68. Two dollars and sixty-eight cents. I love gift cards!
Anyhow, we had lunch in the car, where I found out that LP? Not a big fan of the peanut butter. Go figure. Anyhow, we drove home, got a hole punch on the way, and then I drew and cut out some construction paper stars and circles for ornaments. LP will color them tomorrow, and we'll hang them right on the tree. I'm very excited. Now, the other fun things we have are a three-car train and a Lego house-front. These will go on/around train tracks under our tree. The idea is that each year, we get a new piece of scenery or train to go in a special Christmas tree track. LP will still have his regular trains and tracks, but these will be the Christmas Special editions. I'm really rather looking forward to it. I think we have enough track to make it all work. ^_^
Now, the rest of today was eaten up in visiting downtown. We went down to the train crossing, and the Holiday Train was coming! The entire block was blocked off, and we were able to see the train coming and LP got to see the train, the lights, and then the train having some trouble. We're not sure what went on, but it took about twenty minutes from the time the train came into view for the show to start - one of the boxcars opened up and they had a band, and Santa, and lights and music and speeches... LP was not fond of the speeches, but he did like the music! We had a great time, and while we never would have gone without LP, we still enjoyed ourselves. It's an event that seems to be geared to the kids, but with enough oomph to it that the parents still enjoy it, and there were a fair number of people there without kids, so I expect it's a tradition to a lot of people. We loved it, and will, without hesitation, be going next year. The only thing I think we'd do differently is break out the Cadillac stroller and get one of those tarp or cover or whatever things for it. The wind was bitter cold once we were out of the shelter of the crowd, and wrapping LP in a fleece blanket didn't seem to do a heckuva lot for him. Poor kiddo. At least we had fun!
We got up, and had to wake LP to get into the car (I know, sleeping babies and the lie-ing of them) so we could head out for an hour's drive to a theater that had Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part I playing - with a Reel Babies program. Reel Babies is a program that is only in place at specific theaters, but it's no low lights, less volume, and plus a microwave, change table, swing, exersaucer, all that stuff. It's designed for parents who are going to be at the theater with their little kids. So we went off to the movies! The three of us went, we got popcorn, a Bucket O' Coke, a KitKat, and a bag of Nibs for LP. Our out of pocket cost on the whole thing? $2.68. Two dollars and sixty-eight cents. I love gift cards!
Anyhow, we had lunch in the car, where I found out that LP? Not a big fan of the peanut butter. Go figure. Anyhow, we drove home, got a hole punch on the way, and then I drew and cut out some construction paper stars and circles for ornaments. LP will color them tomorrow, and we'll hang them right on the tree. I'm very excited. Now, the other fun things we have are a three-car train and a Lego house-front. These will go on/around train tracks under our tree. The idea is that each year, we get a new piece of scenery or train to go in a special Christmas tree track. LP will still have his regular trains and tracks, but these will be the Christmas Special editions. I'm really rather looking forward to it. I think we have enough track to make it all work. ^_^
Now, the rest of today was eaten up in visiting downtown. We went down to the train crossing, and the Holiday Train was coming! The entire block was blocked off, and we were able to see the train coming and LP got to see the train, the lights, and then the train having some trouble. We're not sure what went on, but it took about twenty minutes from the time the train came into view for the show to start - one of the boxcars opened up and they had a band, and Santa, and lights and music and speeches... LP was not fond of the speeches, but he did like the music! We had a great time, and while we never would have gone without LP, we still enjoyed ourselves. It's an event that seems to be geared to the kids, but with enough oomph to it that the parents still enjoy it, and there were a fair number of people there without kids, so I expect it's a tradition to a lot of people. We loved it, and will, without hesitation, be going next year. The only thing I think we'd do differently is break out the Cadillac stroller and get one of those tarp or cover or whatever things for it. The wind was bitter cold once we were out of the shelter of the crowd, and wrapping LP in a fleece blanket didn't seem to do a heckuva lot for him. Poor kiddo. At least we had fun!
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