The Homeschool Mother's Journal - Spring Fever!
Friday, March 25, 2011 at 5:19PM 
Getting a little deeper, I dealt with a couple of difficult people this week. It has taken me forty years to realize some people are not happy unless they have DRAMA in their lives. I am so NOT a drama person, so I don't deal with it well (whether it is through email or in person). Just as I was feeling discouraged I got a very sweet email from a homeschool mom I admire greatly - it made me realize I need to get better about tuning out the "noise" and focusing on the truly important things. I am not obligated to be friends with people who are hurtful to me. I enjoyed a pep-talk from an experienced blogging friend. She sent me encouraging scripture and put everything into perspective for me.
In our homeschool this week: We tied up a lot of loose ends this week. The kids spent a ton of time with our hermit crab, Harry (I'm amazed at the appeal of this crab!). We continued reading "The Wonder Clock" and working our way through The Story of the World. I ordered Black Ships Before Troy: The Story of the Iliad for us to begin soon. It feels like we are really sinking our teeth into something great with this curriculum. I love classical homeschooling! GMan began addition with carrying and he was SO excited about it. I told him he was bound and determined to make me run out of money buying math books, so he has been working furiously to make me "go broke". I love it! Miss B is working on a book about a fairy that travels through each of the seasons. We haven't worked a lot formally on writing, but I was so proud of her work. It is so true that lots of reading produces good writers!
Places we're going and people we're seeing: Wednesday we went to see a production of The Pirates of Penzance by The Atlanta Opera. It was a wonderful show, but it provoked a lot of thinking on my part about something very different than opera. I posted about it here. Maybe you can help me with my questions. We also had co-op on Thursday - next week is the last in our session and we will all be sad. Today we met a dear friend from church for breakfast and then checked out a new place nearby - The Fresh Market. Quite nice - I picked up a good bottle of wine for dinner tonight and some fun things for dinners next week, along with fresh blueberries and raspberries. My goal was to spend less than $50 and I succeeded!
What's working/not working for us: I'm relaxing our mornings a bit by not pushing the kids so hard to get started on academics so early morning. We are usually done with breakfast and devotions by 9 and then dive into things. I used to think we had to start by 8 a.m., and everyone was crabby and not too agreeable. What difference does an hour make? The extra hour also gives me a chance for a second cup of coffee and a little more cleaning around the house.
Homeschool Questions/Thoughts I Have: My oldest needs more accountability. I'm not quite sure how to achieve that. If you can give me some advice I'd appreciate it! She is a smart girl, but lacks initiative (is this typical for the age?), and it's driving me BONKERS! I know I'm very hard on her (if you know me, you're vigorously nodding your head in agreement!) and standards are high. It's especially difficult when my six year old is motivated to do everything. I have polar opposites living in my house.
A link to share: Click here to see a trailer for the new "Mr. Popper's Penguins" movie starring Jim Carey. Really? I can't wait to see this. We loved the book, so I wonder what the movie will be like!
A photo to share: This is from six years ago today, but it makes me smile. My children (on most days) have this kind of relationship - Miss B is the nurturing mother and GMan is that giggling little boy by her side. I love it that they have each other.
*Hop over to Hip, Homeschool Moms to read other mom's journals this week!
Reader Comments (9)
Love the older photo of your children. Our two have that kind of relationship as well (most of the time). I love that they do, and homeschooling is a big contributor to their closeness.
Thanks for stopping by my blog! I've enjoyed reading your blog as well.
This time of year always seems to bring homeschool families to a crawl. It's definitely a good time for a break and don't feel like a week is all you get! If you need more take it.
Love the old photo of your kids snuggling. :)
We're a family of book-lovers, too -- some of us more than others!
Wow you have really great blog! Thank you for stopping over and reading mine....
I am headed back to your opera post, we were just talking about PP ;)
So many things in this post that I can comment on :)
First, I also love the older photo of your kids. My girls are also very close, most of the time, and I also attribute that to homeschooling.
Second, I agree with you wholeheartedly about NOT being a drama person! I like simplicity, for the most part, and drama is never simple.
Third, we LOVE reading in our house too! I think that's a great thing :)
My last comment is about your daughter's lack of initiative ...she's nine, is that correct? My oldest is ten, and she is very similar. It might just be an age/personality issue. My daughter is fantastic at coming up with all sorts of ideas, but rarely will follow through on her own. I have to start doing a project and have her join me. It's hard because I keep expecting her to show some more independence and initiative, but she seems to want me to tell her what to do. It's especially funny because in other ways, she wants to be in charge and tell people how to do things the "right" way. So, I guess I don't have an answer or advice, really, but I can sympathize.
Thanks so much for visiting Homeschool Circus! I love the picture of your two kiddos (both now and then). So sweet! Regarding accountability....does she work well by herself? I found that with my oldest (who's now 12, but, from early on worked well independently) that if I set out his work and his schedule the night before, it makes the day run more smoothly and he works more diligently without me standing over him because he can see exactly what he needs to do and knows when he gets done, he has free time. My 9 year old son has started this method as well....and I'm hopeful sometime in the next decade that my 7 year old will follow suit.....
I'm following you as well. Have a great weekend!
I love FIAR. I am new to THMJ. Wonderful to hear you've realized that the public school system wasn't the right fit for your family as you are reaching higher towards the heavens! I am following you now. I love to hear about all the moms adventures in homeschooling. I think it keeps me young too!
I am a new follower from Homeschool Mother's Journal. I LOVE YOUR BLOG!!! So fun looking. Can't wait to read more.
If you get a chance, visit our mayheim sometime.
www.krazykuehnerdays.com
Renita
I can't wait to be able to discuss books with my husband again. He is in seminary. He has to go part-time, because he works full-time, so he is 3 years in with 3 years to go. All he has time to read is whatever he HAS to read for school. I can no longer read a book and then pass it onto him. *sad*