Back Into the Groove!

We have been on Spring Break for the past 2 weeks. That translates to 2 weeks of sleeping in, many hours of Wii, Netflix, and playing outside. Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end. The end was yesterday. Monday. Need I say more?

We did fairly well to get around on time. I was excited to implement those new schedules. Calendar time went without a hitch ~ time to get going on school. No so good. Preschooler did well, but Tweenager and Bubby weren't too terribly thrilled. In fact, they were in no way, shape or form thrilled!

Both were piddly ~ goofy ~ and grumbly. No matter how much I gently reminded them, then disciplined them, it was to no avail. They weren't about to do school! It took a phone call from Daddy to get Tweenager in gear, but Bubby lost all Wii and Netflix privileges until further notice. Tweenager finally finished school at 4:30 ~ Bubby at ~ ahem! ~ 9:45.

I did give them breaks and let the kiddos eat ~ I'm not Joan Crawford, here! ~ but I was insistent that they finish their work for the day.

The schedules did work ~ although not quite what I intended for them. I used the schedule to show my son that by 5 PM, that the only things he had accomplished for the day was making his bed, getting dressed, eating his breakfast, and completing his handwriting. He got the message and got busy!

Today went much smoother! It's now a little after 3 in the afternoon and both children are completely done with their school work. I think the schedules are going to work out wonderfully for us. When the student completes each subject, they bring it to me. I peruse it, and then check it off as completed on the schedule. They continue with the next subject until all are checked off. Then comes their hour of free time.

So, here's my question for the day ~ have you ever had one of those days? If so, how did you handle the situation?

Singing in Church

This past Sunday, my daughters and I were able to sing together for the first time. Preschooler loves to sing ~ she usually learns any song I'm singing for church and sings along with me when I practice.

Our pastor heard her singing with me last month and asked for us to be part of "History Day" at our church. Our church has been in existence for 80 years. It was both a pleasure and an honor to sing for these special services.

The song I chose was one that I sang when I was a little girl. "When He Cometh" is a pretty little song that is easy enough to learn because of the repetition. I'm blessed to own a Clavinova, so I was able to compose my own orchestration and make a CD for us to sing with.

Tea Party

Yesterday, Preschooler had a tea party with Daddy. The hubs surprised us all when he arrived home from work a couple hours earlier than usual. The kiddos (and Mom!) were ecstatic to spend extra time with him! Preschooler, who had been playing with her toy dishes, promptly invited Daddy to tea. He accepted the invite, tired as he was. How I love that man! Anyhow, here are a few pics to share. Enjoy!

Preschooler pouring tea for Daddy.

Once she poured Daddy's tea, she fixed her own while Daddy waited patiently.

"The best tea I've ever tasted!" Daddy exclaimed after he finished his cup. As you can see, Preschooler was thrilled to have a few moments of Daddy's undivided attention.

Schedules!

Ah, schedules, how I love/hate thee! I don't like to be driven by a schedule, but I've found over the years if I don't have some sort of schedule, I won't get anything done!

It's been a little difficult to get my son on a school schedule. He can easily while away hours and only get a tiny section of work done if I'm not paying close attention. You know how it goes ~ get the kids started, then do a few things around the house, take care of the youngest ones, answer more questions, throw in a load of laundry, answer the phone, etc.

I wanted my kids to take responsibility for their schedule as well as take ownership of it. I didn't want to be the one who had to constantly remind them to go make their beds, clean their rooms, do their math or English. They need to take the responsibility now!

With that in mind, I began to search the web for some ideas.

I found this great kiddo schedule at www.thecraftyclassroom.com The owner of the site has made a "boy" and "girl" schedule, as well as a preschool schedule. It has room for a chore list as well as school subjects. It even has a weekly calendar you can write the dates/activities you may have. On the side, it has a place you can give stickers for "Weekly Chores Complete!" "On Task & Cheerful!" and "Weekly Work Complete!"

We're going to implement it the coming week ~ I'll let you know how it goes!

Compasses and Protractors, Oh My!

One of my favorite guilty pleasures is going to the school supply store to browse! It makes me so happy to see bulletin board displays, shelves of teacher-help books, racks of file folder games and office supplies! (I know, I'm a little whacked!)

Yesterday, I was able to go alone to browse. I needed new calendar numbers as well as a stand for our mini flags. I spent a little over an hour just absorbing and taking in all the amazing products that are available, and I had an absolute blast!

Tweenager is now at a level in Math that calls for a protractor and compass. I purchased both at the beginning of the year at Walmart, but the compass kept slipping every time she used it. She got extremely frustrated because the silly thing couldn't even make an even circle. Mom was irritated because the compass alone was $3!

While browsing the school supply store, I saw a quaint little plastic pouch hanging from the wall. It was a compass, protractor, ruler, pencil sharpener, and eraser combo pack! I was so excited, especially when the price was $4 for all!

Once I got home and Tweenager opened it, we were happy to see that the compass had a locking mechanism built in ~ no more slipping! She was so excited! What was even "cooler" ~ her words ~ was that the set came in pink ~ her fave color!

The brand name of this set is Helix. The set comes in a zippered pouch, which keeps it organized, and is available in blue, green, purple, and pink. I was pleased to get such a bargain!