Homeschool & fun photos

funny family faces while eating birthday cake

I have been trying to get re-inspired to teach my babies once again. I'll confess that I have taken a year long somewhat-slacking stretch due to baby #2. That's not to say we stopped learning entirely, just slacked off a little. The past week or two we've been full speed ahead, though, & both kids are enjoying it. :0) Langston has always loved to put pen or crayon to paper, sit & read, or use his imagination to play. Zora is just getting there. They are a fun pair to work, play, & learn with. Below is the "list" of what we shoot for daily. There are plenty of variations in each section & we do not always make it to each item daily, but most of the time, most of the things are explored. And learning goes on...whether we know we are teaching them or not.
(langston & pal, maeve enjoy some birthday cake at levi's 5th b'day party...they each decided to "save some for later" :)

Our Daily "homeschool" list

• read a Bible story, talk about it, color a pic from a Bible story coloring book or online, pray
• imagine this: (pretending with toys, independent play)
• Zora: ABC’s & numbers (identify, count/sort, letter sounds using foam letter, blocks, word whammer, chalk...)
• Langston: reading & numbers (workbooks, handwriting, site words, flash cards, phonics, telling time, add, subtract, word whammer...)
• critical thinking (puzzles, games, science experiments)
• 1 hour of appropriate "screen time" i.e., kid's netflix or other dvd/ computer games
• arts & crafts & create (draw, color, paint, play dough, with mommy or by himself...Z. is beginnig to show interest)
• getting physical: dance, ride trike, walks with mom, jog with dad, play sports with dad
• the great outdoors: search for bugs, water flowers, play with chalk or in sandbox (when weather permits...darn you, Midwest!)
• read 2 books per child before nap, plus "extras" as time allows
• listen closely: music, stories on tape or CD
  

ah, yes, mommy looks away, zora empties the cereal bowl onto her tray. the usual.

Mommy's list:
during naps/rest time every day…

• check email
• blog or scrapbook
• return phone calls
• make appointments
• work on pilates or latin dance classes or music
• breathe

zora's favorite spot in the kitchen...when she's not under my feet or attached to my let like a velcro kitten.

one “major” housework item

• Monday:clean floors, rugs, change sheets (wash sheets)
• Tuesday: clean bathrooms & b'room rugs (wash towels)
• Wednesday: dust (laundry)
• Thursday: laundry catch up day!
• Friday: home repair, odd jobs
• weekend: deep clean one room each week.
• Daily: dishes, some laundry (a load or so), sweep kitchen & under dining room table, make beds, pick up, spot mop as needed

we moved the coffee table downstairs, stored chairs, & still she stacked the blankets & pillows to reach the sofa! does that guy from the 80s who could escape any situation with string & a soda can need a partner?

I'm still working out my chores. As we are about to dive into a busy summer schedule, we'll see how all this pans out, but I think I function better with more to keep me busy, for whatever crazy reason!
Our summer will be filled with...Mommy teaching 4 classes per week; maybe taking two (Yoga-for my brain & body:), Langston has 2 mornings of preschool, 1 dance class, 1 swim lesson per week, Zora has 1 swim lesson per week, harvesting veggies weekly, Daddy working at the office daily, all of our "getting ready to go to Poland this fall" stuff, not to mention the usual necessary playdates, library programs, etc...hey, I said a busy summer, not a fun-less summer. :)

Thanks for the push in the super-mom direction, Christine, Rachel, & all you other super moms out there!